Major Uses and Biology

Chlorpyrifos has insecticidal activity against a wide range of insect and arthropod pests. Contact toxicity was demonstrated against representative insect orders such as:

  • Orthoptera
  • Diptera
  • Homoptera
  • Lepidoptera
  • Coleoptera
  • Hymenoptera
  • Hemiptera

In addition, chlorpyrifos possesses ingestion or stomach activity towards Orthoptera, Diptera and Lepidoptera. Toxicity through vapor action was demonstrated against Diptera, Homoptera and Isoptera. Activity of chlorpyrifos towards insects exposed via treated soil has also been well demonstrated.

Chlorpyrifos Formulations
Chlorpyrifos-ethyl and methyl insecticides are both available to be formulated into many different commercial products for use in pest control operations in Latin America. The most commonly used formulations include the emulsifiable concentrate (EC), granule (GR), wettable powder (WP) and water dispersible granule (WDG). Each formulation is designed as a delivery vehicle for a given pest control scenario to maximize product stability and availability to the target pest and to minimize human exposure. The various formulations are often tailored for a specific use pattern.

Because of its versatility, chlorpyrifos and chlorpyrifos-methyl products are used in a wide range of pest control applications in Latin America. From bananas in Belize to stored grain pest control in Uruguay, chlorpyrifos-based products have been successfully employed to combat insect and arthropod pests threatening production of food and fiber and to protect human health.

Listing of Major Chlorpyrifos and Chlorpyrifos-methyl Registrations in the Latin America Area

Country Crops/Use
Argentina Alfalfa, Apple, Barley, Bell Pepper, Citrus, Corn, Cotton, Flax, Garlic, Horticultural Crops, Oats, Olive, Onion, Pear, Potato, Rye, Sorghum, Soybean, Stone Fruits, Sunflower, Tobacco, Tomato, Wheat, Indoor Pest Control
Belize Banana, Coffee
Bolivia Alfalfa, Apple, Barley, Citrus, Corn, Cotton, Flax, Garlic, Horticultural Crops, Oats, Olive, Onion, Pear, Potato, Rye, Sorghum, Soybean, Stonefruit, Sunflower, Tobacco, Tomato, Wheat, Indoor Pest Control
Brazil Apple, Barley, Beans (Dry), Brassica Crops, Cabbage, Citrus, Coffee, Corn, Cotton, Eucalyptus, Pasture, Potato, Sorghum, Soybean, Tobacco, Tomato, Wheat, Indoor Pest Control
Chile Apple, Asparagus, Citrus, Corn, Grapes, Kiwi, Legumes, Pastures, Peach, Pear, Plum, Potato, Oilseed Rape, Sugar Beet, Tomato, Winter Cereals, Wheat, Wood Treatment
Costa Rica Banana
Dominican Republic Banana
El Salvador Avocado, Banana, Corn
Guatemala Alfalfa, Banana
Honduras Banana, Garlic, Onion
Mexico Agave, Alfalfa, Apple, Banana, Citrus, Corn, Pepper, Sugar Cane, Soybean, Tobacco, Tomato, Animal Health, Home Pest Control
Nicaragua Banana
Panama Banana
Paraguay Alfalfa, Apple, Barley, Bell Pepper, Citrus, Corn, Cotton, Flax, Garlic, Horticultural Crops, Oats, Olive, Onion, Pear, Potato, Rye, Sorghum, Soybean, Stonefruit, Sunflower, Tobacco, Tomato, Wheat, Lawn and Garden
Puerto Rico Banana
Uruguay Apple, Barely, Citrus, Corn, Onion, Peach, Pear, Potato, Quince, Rye, Sorghum, Soybean, Sugar Beet, Sunflower, Tobacco, Wheat, Lawn and Garden