The Antimetabolite: Imidazole as a pesticide

Author

Roy J. Pence

Author Affiliations

Roy J. Pence is Specialist, Department of Entomology, University of California, Los Angeles.

Publication Information

Hilgardia 19(1):13-15. DOI:10.3733/ca.v019n01p13. January 1965.

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Abstract

Imidazole, an antimetabolite of histamine and nicotinic acid, has been found to be a safe and effective pesticide and is now undergoing field tests. Developed at U.C., Los Angeles, the new material has been patented and given the trade name “Imutex.” Imidazole, when synergized with boric acid, may be employed at low levels to proof fabric satisfactorily against insect attack. When synergized with 2-Aminopyridine, along with several newer synergists, and combined with base oil, imidazole is capable of controlling a number of insects and related arthropod species. Effectiveness is significantly increased by adding two surfactants to base oil. A hydrophilic surfactant increases the physiological activity of imidazole without improving the physical properties of the oil carrier, while perchloroethylene directly increases solubility. The particularly exciting quality about the material is its low mammalian toxicity.