Mitochondrial Complex <scp>III</scp> Electron Transport Inhibitors – Q _i site: Flometoquin

The phenoxy-quinoline insecticide flometoquin is registered in several countries and can be used as an excellent control agent for thrips, whiteflies, diamondback moth, and so on. This chapter describes its discovery, synthetic methodology, structure activity relationships, mode of action (MoA), and biological profile. Flometoquin demonstrates a quick knock-down effect via feeding and contact action against target pests at nymphal and adult stages, which results in minimizing crop damage and economic loss. On the other hand, flometoquin is safe for a variety of non-target arthropods including honeybees and expected to be a useful tool for controlling pests, especially thrips, under integrated pest management programs. Furthermore, biochemical studies using insect mitochondria reveals that flometoquin is the first insecticide inhibiting the Q i site of mitochondrial complex III electron transport at the respiratory chain. Therefore, it has been classified in the new group of the Insecticide Resistance Action Committee MoA main group 34.