Beta-cypermethrin 20% SC

 

1. Product Description

 

Beta-cypermethrin 20% SC is a pyrethroid insecticide formulation containing 20% beta-cypermethrin as the active ingredient. Beta-cypermethrin is a synthetic pyrethroid insecticide with contact and stomach action and is classified as a non-systemic insecticide. It acts primarily on the insect nervous system by modifying voltage-gated sodium channels, resulting in abnormal nerve excitation, paralysis and ultimately insect death.

The SC (Suspension Concentrate) formulation is a water-based suspension of active ingredient intended to be diluted with water before application. FAO defines SC as a stable suspension of active ingredient(s) in water designed for dilution before use.

 

 

2. Mode of Action

 

IRAC Group: 3A – Pyrethroids and Pyrethrins
Target site: Voltage-gated sodium channels
Action: Sodium channel modulation
Type: Non-systemic; contact and stomach action

Beta-cypermethrin interferes with the normal operation of sodium channels in insect nerve cells. Pyrethroids keep sodium channels open for abnormally long periods, causing hyperexcitation of the nervous system, followed by impaired coordination, paralysis and death.

Simple mechanism

Beta-cypermethrin → sodium-channel modulation → excessive nerve excitation → paralysis → insect death

Because beta-cypermethrin belongs to IRAC Group 3A, repeated use of Group 3A insecticides can contribute to resistance selection. IRAC recommends incorporating products with different modes of action into resistance-management programs rather than repeatedly applying the same MoA group.

 

3. Advantages

 

1. Rapid insecticidal action

 

Beta-cypermethrin acts directly on the insect nervous system and can provide rapid knockdown against susceptible pests.

 

2. Contact and stomach activity

 

Its non-systemic contact and stomach action allows it to affect pests exposed to spray deposits or ingesting treated plant material.

 

3. Broad-spectrum pyrethroid activity

 

Beta-cypermethrin belongs to the pyrethroid group, which is widely used against a range of insect pests.

 

4. Water-based SC formulation

 

The SC formulation is designed for dilution with water before application. Compared with solvent-based formulations, water-based SC formulations can offer practical handling and application advantages.

 

5. Convenient spray application

 

SC formulations are designed to provide suitable dispersion and suspensibility after dilution, supporting conventional spray application when used according to the product label.

 

6. Suitable for resistance-management programs when rotated correctly

 

Beta-cypermethrin can be incorporated into an IPM/IRM program, but should not be relied on repeatedly as the sole insecticide mode of action because it belongs to IRAC Group 3A.

 

4. Precautions

 

Important: The exact precautions for a commercial 20% SC product must follow the local registered label and SDS, because formulation co-formulants, permitted crops, application rates and PPE requirements can differ between countries.

Recommended general precautions:

• Read the product label and SDS before use.

• Use only on crops/sites for which the product is registered.

• Follow the approved application rate, spray interval and pre-harvest interval.

• Wear appropriate protective clothing, gloves, eye protection and other PPE specified by the label.

• Avoid unnecessary skin, eye and inhalation exposure.

• Do not eat, drink or smoke while handling or applying the product.

• Avoid spraying during conditions that may cause significant spray drift.

• Do not contaminate food, feed, drinking water, irrigation water or water bodies.

• Do not apply directly to open water unless the product label specifically permits it.

• Avoid spraying flowering crops when bees and other pollinators are actively foraging.

• Clean spraying equipment according to the label after application.

• Store in the original, properly labeled container, away from food, feed and unauthorized access.

• Dispose of unused product and empty containers according to local pesticide-waste regulations.

FAO/WHO guidance emphasizes responsible pesticide management throughout the product lifecycle, including application, storage and disposal.

 

5. Environmental Hazards

This is an area where your website should be particularly careful.

 

Highly hazardous to aquatic organisms

 

Cypermethrin, the chemical family to which beta-cypermethrin belongs, has significant aquatic toxicity. US EPA assessments identify very high acute toxicity to freshwater fish, aquatic invertebrates and estuarine/marine organisms, with risks also identified for benthic organisms.

 

Toxicity to bees and non-target insects

 

EPA has also identified cypermethrin as highly toxic to bees when directly exposed to treated blooming crops or weeds.

Therefore:

• Avoid applications during active bee foraging.

• Avoid spraying flowering crops when pollinators are present.

• Minimize spray drift to flowering weeds and non-target vegetation.

• Follow local pollinator-protection requirements.

 

6. Product Attributes

 

Attribute	Information
Product	Beta-cypermethrin 20% SC
Active Ingredient	Beta-cypermethrin
Concentration	20%
Formulation	SC – Suspension Concentrate
Chemical Class	Synthetic pyrethroid
IRAC Group	3A
Mode of Action	Sodium channel modulator
Target Site	Voltage-gated sodium channels
Action	Contact and stomach
Systemic Activity	Non-systemic
Molecular Formula	C₂₂H₁₉Cl₂NO₃
Molecular Weight	416.3 g/mol
CAS RN	65731-84-2*
Physical Form	Liquid suspension concentrate
Application	Dilute with water before use, according to label
Resistance Management	Rotate with insecticides from different MoA groups
Environmental Concern	Particularly important for aquatic organisms and pollinators

 

7. FAQ

Q1. What is Beta-cypermethrin 20% SC?

 

Beta-cypermethrin 20% SC is a 20% beta-cypermethrin suspension concentrate insecticide. Beta-cypermethrin is a synthetic pyrethroid insecticide with contact and stomach activity.

 

Q2. What does SC mean?

 

SC means Suspension Concentrate. It is a stable suspension of active ingredient in water designed to be diluted with water before application.

Q3. What is the mode of action of beta-cypermethrin?

 

Beta-cypermethrin is an IRAC Group 3A pyrethroid. It modulates voltage-gated sodium channels in the insect nervous system, causing abnormal nerve excitation and paralysis.

 

Q4. Is beta-cypermethrin systemic?

 

No. Beta-cypermethrin is classified as a non-systemic insecticide, acting primarily through contact and stomach activity.

Q5. Is beta-cypermethrin effective against all insects?

 

No pesticide should be described as effective against all insects. Performance depends on the pest species, population susceptibility, application timing, dosage, coverage and local resistance status.

 

Q6. Can Beta-cypermethrin 20% SC be mixed with other pesticides?

 

Tank mixing should only be done when permitted by the product label and when compatibility has been confirmed. A small-scale compatibility test may be appropriate where permitted.

 

Q7. Can beta-cypermethrin be used repeatedly?

 

Repeated use of the same IRAC Group 3A insecticide can increase resistance-selection pressure. Rotate or alternate with effective insecticides having different modes of action as part of an appropriate resistance-management program.

 

Q8. Is beta-cypermethrin toxic to bees?

 

Pyrethroid/cypermethrin products can pose significant risks to bees, particularly through direct exposure. Applications should therefore avoid unnecessary exposure of bees and other pollinators and comply with local label restrictions.

 

Q9. Is beta-cypermethrin toxic to fish?

 

Yes. Cypermethrin is highly/very highly toxic to many aquatic organisms, including fish and aquatic invertebrates. Prevent product, spray drift and runoff from entering water bodies.

 

Q10. What is the application rate of Beta-cypermethrin 20% SC?

 

There is no single globally applicable application rate. The approved rate depends on the crop, target pest, country and registered product label. Your website should therefore avoid publishing a universal dosage unless it is supported by your company's registration/label.