Acephate
Acephate is an organophosphate foliar and soil insecticide of moderate persistence with residual systemic activity of about 10–15 days at the recommended use rate. It is used primarily for control of aphids, including resistant species, in vegetables (e.g. potatoes, carrots, greenhouse tomatoes, and lettuce) and in horticulture (e.g. on roses and greenhouse ornamentals). It also controls leaf miners, caterpillars, sawflies, thrips, and spider mites in the previously stated crops as well as turf, and forestry. By direct application to mounds, it is effective in destroying imported fire ants.
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| IUPAC name
N-(Methoxy-methylsulfanylphosphoryl)acetamide | |
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| ECHA InfoCard | 100.045.659 |
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| Properties | |
Chemical formula |
C4H10NO3PS |
| Molar mass | 183.16 g·mol−1 |
| Appearance | colourless to white solid |
| Density | 1.35 g/cm3 |
| Melting point | 88–90 °C (190–194 °F; 361–363 K) |
Solubility in water |
79 g/100 mL |
| Solubility | very soluble in acetone soluble in ethanol |
| Vapor pressure | 2x10−6 mmHg |
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H302[1] |
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa). | |
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Acephate is sold as a soluble powder, as emulsifiable concentrates, as pressurized aerosol, and in tree injection systems and granular formulations.
As of 2012, the EPA no longer allows the usage of acephate on green beans grown in the United States.[2]
Toxicology
It is considered non-phytotoxic on many crop plants. Acephate and its primary metabolite, methamidophos, are toxic to Heliothis spp. that are considered resistant to other organophosphate insecticides. Acephate emits toxic fumes of various oxides of phosphorus, nitrogen, and sulfur when heated to decomposition. Symptoms of exposure to acephate include a slight irritation of eyes and skin.
The U.S. annually uses 4–5 million pounds of acephate. However, even in small quantities, acephate throws off the navigation systems of white-throated sparrows and other songbirds, making them unable to tell north from south.[3]
References
- Sigma-Aldrich Co., Acephate. Retrieved on 2013-07-20.
- https://www.epa.gov/safepestcontrol/food-and-pesticides
- Bridget Stutchbury (2007) Silence of the Songbirds, Walker & Company, ISBN 978-0-8027-1691-0
- U.S. EPA Office of Pesticide Programs.
- Extension Toxicology Network. Pesticide Information Profiles.
- Cooperative Extension Offices of Cornell University, Oregon State University, the University of Idaho, and the University of California at Davis.
- Institute for Environmental Toxicology, Michigan State University.
External links
- Acephate General Fact Sheet - National Pesticide Information Center
- Acephate Pesticide Information Profile - Extension Toxicology Network
- EPA Acephate Reregistration Eligibility Decision
- Acephate in the Pesticide Properties DataBase (PPDB)
- Lepitect - Soil injected Pesticide for Ornamental Use