Strategic Control in Ruminant Farms: S-Methoprene and the New Larvigen® Range

The proliferation of insects in livestock farms such as flies or fleas not only represents a constant nuisance in the day-to-day operations of the farm, but also seriously compromises animal health, productive performance, and efficiency in management tasks.

Traditionally, the control of these insects has focused on the use of contact or ingestion adulticides, such as pyrethroids or neonicotinoids.

• However, this approach does not address the root of the problem: breeding sites, generally in areas of high organic load such as manure heaps, pits, or bedded pens

In this context, the use of insect growth regulators (IGRs) has positioned itself as an effective strategy to break the insect’s biological cycle.

Among the IGRs, S-Methoprene stands out as one of the most promising molecules in the livestock environment due to its stability, safety, and efficacy.

It is an analogue of the insect juvenile hormone (JH), classified within the group of juvenoids. Its mechanism of action is based on interfering with larval metamorphosis, preventing larvae from completing the transition to pupa and adult.

The result is the formation of abnormal cuticles, structural malformations in pupae, and a drastic reduction in the emergence of viable adult insects.

One of the most notable aspects of S-Methoprene as an active ingredient is its stability against high temperatures.

Unlike other IGRs such as diflubenzuron, whose efficacy can be significantly reduced at temperatures above 28°C, S-Methoprene maintains its larvicidal activity even in thermal ranges up to 36°C, as demonstrated by comparative trials in Musca domestica.

This makes it a particularly useful solution for summer insect control in outdoor farms, bedding that reaches high temperatures, or temperature-controlled barns.

Bioplagen has developed a new line of products based on this IGR: Larvigen^® Secure and Larvigen^® Pro, formulations specifically designed for livestock environments and with differentiated properties according to the type of farm and application need.

Larvigen^® Secure, formulated with S-Methoprene and Neem oil (Azadirachtin).

Its application is aimed at eliminating larvae in their development sites. Neem oil together with S-Methoprene act synergistically achieving great results in a single application.

On the other hand, Larvigen^® Pro has been designed to achieve total control of the insect’s life cycle. It combines the action of S-Methoprene, cypermethrin, and geraniol.

It provides control in both larval and adult stages, making this product an ideal tool to achieve effective results in a single application.

To evaluate the effectiveness of this new range of products, Bioplagen has collaborated with the independent laboratory IZIgroup, specialized in applied entomology.

In a field trial with Larvigen^® Secure, applying a 1% dose, a 92% reduction in the emerging population of Musca domestica was achieved after a single application, demonstrating its high effectiveness

The new range Larvigen^® constitutes a solid and necessary technological commitment for the sector. The combination of science and field experience allows offering the veterinarian and technical farmer a larval control tool adapted to the current challenges of animal production.

Incorporating solutions based on IGRs, such as S-Methoprene, helps control the early stages of the insect life cycle, thereby reducing the indiscriminate use of insecticides with only adulticidal effects, consolidating production models based on prevention and biosecurity, which are more efficient and improve animal welfare.

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