Rotenone is registered for the first time to control red fire ants, marking new progress in the field of biopesticides

08/19/2025 09:41:25

Recently, the biopesticide field received an important news: Rotenone, as a biopesticide (of plant origin), has been approved for registration in China for the first time to control red fire ants. This registration provides a new powerful means for the control of red fire ants and further enriches the application scope of biopesticides in China
The registered product is 0.05% ant poison bait formulated by Chengdu Lvjin Biotechnology Co., Ltd., which is composed of rotenone technical and attractant. The recommended dosage is 20-30 grams per nest. According to reports from researchers from the College of Plant Protection at South China Agricultural University and other institutions, rotenone exhibits high toxicity against red fire ants. When nests are treated with 250 mg/L and 125 mg/L rotenone, the nest reduction rates can reach 87.50% and 79.17%, respectively. Researchers from the Institute of Plant Protection of the Fujian Academy of Agricultural Sciences and other institutions also point out that although 5% rotenone solution has a slightly slower initial effect on red fire ants, it maintains good efficacy over time
As an invasive species with immense destructive power, the red imported fire ant poses a serious threat to agricultural production, ecological environment, and public safety. Previously, the types of pesticides used to control red imported fire ants were relatively limited. The addition of rotenone provides more options for relevant departments and practitioners. Compared to some chemical pesticides, rotenone, as a botanical pesticide, has advantages such as being environmentally friendly and relatively safe to non-target organisms, which aligns with the current concept of green agriculture and sustainable development
Rotenone is not a newcomer in the agricultural field. As a natural insecticide, it has long been recognized and applied by people. It is mainly derived from the leguminous plants of the Derris and Pterocarp genera, and achieves insecticidal effects by inhibiting the respiratory function of insects. In the past, rotenone was used to control various agricultural pests such as aphids and Pieris rapae. The approval of its use in controlling red fire ants is a further expansion of its application scope
With China's increasing emphasis on biopesticides and the increasingly stringent requirements for agricultural product quality and safety, as well as ecological environmental protection, the biopesticide market is embracing opportunities for rapid development. The registration of rotenone not only brings a new solution for the control of red fire ants, but also holds promise for promoting the research, development, and application of more novel biopesticides, thereby facilitating China's agriculture to stride towards a green and sustainable direction
Industry insiders believe that the actual application effect of rotenone in the control of red fire ants in the future is worth looking forward to. Relevant departments and enterprises should strengthen training and guidance on the use of this product to ensure its scientific and rational application, maximize the role of rotenone in the control of red fire ants, and safeguard ecological environment safety and agricultural product quality safety