Azadirachtin

Azadirachtin Insecticides reduce insect feeding and act as a repellent. It also interferes with insect hormone systems, making it harder for insects to grow and lay eggs. Azadirachtin can also repel and reduce the feeding of nematodes.

Azadirachtin affects insects in many different ways, including acting as an insect growth regulator, repellent, anti-feedent, sterilant and/or oviposition inhibitor. Azadirachtin, as an insect growth regulator, is an antagonist (a substance that acts against and blocks a physiological action) that inhibits the synthesis or metabolism of the insect molting hormone, ecdysone. Consequently, inhibition of the molting process, and thus metamorphosis, causes insects to die when transitioning into the next life stage or instar (insect stage between molts). Disruption of the insect life cycle prevents the production of future generations.

Azadirachtin is only effective on the immature/young life stages of insects. Moreover, azadirachtin is slower-acting than conventional insecticides, which is primarily due to azadirachtin altering or modifying the behavior of insects. The material works as a stomach poison in which insects must ingest the active ingredient during feeding in order to be negatively affected. Activity is better on chewing than sucking insects, which is why azadirachtin is effective against caterpillars.