Clothianidin Alternatives with Pros and Cons

Clothianidin is an extremely effective insecticide and is used in many parts of Asia, Europe and the US. However, it is under growing scrutiny due to significant environmental concerns. The European Union has already banned outdoor use due to its negative impact on pollinators and aquatic ecosystems in 2018, while the US has granted "emergency" approvals for its use only in certain situations.

These concerns have prompted agricultural researchers and practitioners to investigate alternatives for pest management. In this blog, we analyse viable Clothianidin 50 alternatives, highlighting their use cases, advantages, and potential drawbacks.

Alternative products for Clothianidin

In the coming years, the regulatory authorities will become even more strict regarding the use of Clothianidin and other insecticides with similar concerns. So, let’s take a look at Clothianidin’s alternatives that can be used by farmers in different scenarios based on their pros and cons.

1. Azadirachtin

Azadirachtin functions primarily as an insect growth regulator and antifeedant. When pests ingest azadirachtin, it disrupts their molting hormones and deters feeding, ultimately preventing larvae from maturing and reproducing This multi-mode action gives neem products a broad target range like aphids, whiteflies, thrips, caterpillars, and more.

Pros

• Exceptionally low toxicity to predators, parasitoids, and other beneficial insects
• Quick breakdown ensures bees are safe unless the insecticide is sprayed when they are actively foraging
• Approved for organic use, making it a popular option in organic farming

Cons

• It could take days for pests to die after feeding
• Efficacy can be inconsistent in cold weather, and it degrades under sunlight, so frequent reapplication may be needed

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2. Spinosad

Spinosad is a biologically derived insecticide that causes neuromuscular disruption by overstimulating nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, leading to paralysis. It controls a broad spectrum of pests, such as caterpillars and leaf beetles, being especially potent when ingested.

Pros

• It has a natural origin and favorable environmental profile
• Has minimal impact on ladybird beetles, lacewings and some other beneficial insects
• Degrades rapidly in sunlight and does not persist or leach significantly.

Cons

• Highly toxic to bees and butterflies when wet
• Frequent application has led to pest resistance in certain pests like thrips and fruit flies
• Comparatively expensive compared to other insecticides

3. Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt)

Bacillus thuringiensis is made from naturally occurring soil bacterium that produces insect-specific toxins. It is a very selective insecticide as its different strains target different pest groups. For example, Bt kurstaki (Btk) targets butterfly and moth larvae, whereas Bt israelensis targets mosquito and fly larvae.

Pros

• Extremely safe to pollinators and other non-target organisms because of their narrow spectrum
• Adult butterflies, bees, ladybugs, etc., are completely unaffected by it
• Breaks down quickly in the environment, leaving no long-term residues

Cons

• Its narrow spectrum means that if a pest other than the specific target is causing damage, it won’t help
• Caterpillars have to eat the Bt-treated foliage to be affected, so thorough coverage of plant surfaces is important

4. Metarhizium anisopliae

Metarhizium anisopliae is an entomopathogenic fungus that is used as a spray or a soil drench. It attacks insects by attaching to their outer shell and then penetrating the body. Once inside, it causes death by tissue destruction and produces toxins within a few days of the application.

Pros

• It is highly specific to insects and does not harm plants, vertebrates, or honey bees
• Can provide residual control as long as conditions are favorable
• Compatible with organic production and IPM programs, adding biological diversity to pest management

Cons

• Dry or extreme conditions can reduce its efficacy
• It may take several days to over a week for infected insects to die
• Costly with a shorter shelf-life compared to other chemical insecticides

5. Beneficial Nematodes

Beneficial nematodes are microscopic roundworms that parasitize and kill insect pests, offering a purely biological control method. They are mass-produced and formulated for application to soil. After application, nematodes seek out insect hosts in the soil using cues like CO₂ and enter the pest through natural openings.

Pros

• Completely organic and natural pest control that leaves no chemical residues
• Pollinators like bees are not affected since bees do not inhabit the soil in the life stages that nematodes target
• Long-lasting control as they multiply and persist as long as there are susceptible hosts and moist soil conditions

Cons

• The effectiveness of nematodes hinges on proper application and environmental conditions
• Less effective in very dry or hot periods unless irrigation is used
• In cases of severe infestation, nematodes may not kill 100% of pests and might need to be supplemented with other controls

6. Insecticidal Soap

Insecticidal soaps are made from potassium salts of fatty acids and are a great mode of chemical control. It is primarily used as a spray, and when it contact a soft-bodied insect, the soap disrupts the insect’s cell membranes and dissolves protective waxes on its cuticle, causing the insect to dehydrate and die.

Pros

• It has minimal environmental impact, leaving no lasting residue on plants or soil
• Non-toxic to pollinators or beneficial insects after the spray dries​
• Safe for humans and pets, making them usable in home gardens

Cons

• Since it only works on contact and has no residual kill, thorough coverage is required
• Repeated applications are often needed for persistent pests like aphids as new generations hatch
• While it is generally safe for beneficial insects, any small beneficial that is on the plant and gets drenched could also be harmed by the soap

7. Horticultural Oils

Horticultural oils are plant or mineral-based oils with a physical mode of action. They are used to smother pests by coating their bodies or eggs, which blocks the breathing pores (spiracles) and causes suffocation. They are effective on sap feeders and immobile stages of pests. 

Pros

• It leaves no residue once dried, which makes it safe for honeybees
• Quite effective on the pests they target, with a broad kill range (insects, mites, and even some fungi) yet little impact beyond that
• Pests do not build resistance to suffocation, so oils remain effective long-term as a management tool

Cons

• Proper application is essential—oils need to coat the pest thoroughly
• Some plant species or varieties are sensitive to oil, resulting in leaf burn or spotting
• Oils can be moderately toxic to aquatic organisms if they run off into ponds

8. Chlorantraniliprole

Chlorantraniliprole belongs to the anthranilic diamide class and is a synthetic chemical insecticide. It is considered a reduced-risk insecticide by regulators and works by causing a release of calcium that leads to paralysis of the muscles leading to death.

Pros

• Exceptional activity against caterpillar pests that chew on plants
• Low toxicity to bees, birds, fish, and other beneficial insects
• Provides long residual control – often several weeks or even months

Cons

• Might affect butterfly or moth larvae populations that might be “non-pest” species
• Relatively expensive product, though cost is offset by the need for fewer treatments
• Toxic to certain aquatic insects, crustaceans, and mollusks

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9. Flonicamid

Flonicamid is a synthetic chemical insecticide in the pyridinecarboxamide class. It has an unique mode of action as a selective feeding inhibitor causing insects to stop feeding which leads to dehydration. It leads to their death or at least reduces reproduction which helps in the pest control.

Pros

• Disrupts aphid and similar pest feeding behavior with little to no effect on pollinators or predatory insects under normal use
• Safe for honey bees even with continuous feeding on syrup with flonicamid up to 250 ppb
• Relatively fast results in terms of stopping damage

Cons

• Not effective against chewing pests like caterpillars or beetles
• Tends to be more expensive than older insecticides
• Continuous use can develop resistance over time in aphids

10. Sulfoxaflor

Sulfoxaflor targets the insect nervous system by acting on nicotinic acetylcholine receptors. It overstimulates the nerve receptors in insects, causing tremors, paralysis, and death in piercing-sucking pests. The insecticide’s good coverage of new growth and underside of leaves often helps in knocking down pest populations in a single application.

Pros

• Ability to control pests that have become resistant to neonics
• It has minimal risks to pollinators but shouldn’t be applied to blooming crops when bees are active
• Doesn’t persist in the environment for long periods and often breaks down within weeks

Cons

• Potential resistance and cross-resistance to certain sap feeders
• Kills beneficial insects like lady beetles or lacewings that are exposed on treated plants