The Best 5 Chlorantraniliprole Insecticides In Orchard

by | Dec 29, 2025 | Chlorantraniliprole | 0 comments

Orchard pests can destroy your entire harvest in just days. But finding the right defense is simpler than you think.

Chlorantraniliprole insecticide has changed pest control for fruit growers around the world. It targets harmful pests like codling moths, fruit borers, and leafrollers. At the same time, it keeps helpful insects safe.

Many options now fill the market. So picking the right product for your orchard matters more than ever.

This guide makes your choice easier. We look at five trusted chlorantraniliprole insecticide products. These range from FMC’s Coragen to special blends from Dupont and Pomaïs.

You’ll learn what makes these products work in real orchards. We cover how much to use based on pest levels. Plus, you’ll see which option gives you the best value for your farm.

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Coragen 20SC (FMC)

FMC’s Coragen 20SC gives you 18% chlorantraniliprole in a suspension concentrate formula. The active ingredient—Rynaxypyr® (CAS 500008-45-7)—makes this a popular chlorantraniliprole insecticide in commercial orchards around the globe.

Chemical Composition and Physical Properties

The formula keeps a relative density between 1.08-1.10. Viscosity measures 400-800 mPa.s at 30 rpm. This consistency makes mixing simple. You get uniform spray coverage. The product stays stable across pH levels 5-9 in water at 10 g/L.

Temperature traits matter for storage and handling. The melting point sits at -6°C. The flash point goes above 100°C. Heat breakdown starts at 330°C. In normal orchard conditions, Coragen stays stable. Heat creates nitrogen oxides, hydrogen chloride, hydrogen bromide, carbon monoxide, and carbon dioxide—so keep it away from extreme heat.

Water solubility of chlorantraniliprole changes a bit by pH. At 20°C, it dissolves at 0.972 mg/L (pH 4), 0.880 mg/L (pH 7), and 0.971 mg/L (pH 9). The compound dissolves much better in organic solvents: 3.446 g/L in acetone and 124 g/L in DMF. It won’t dissolve in hexane (<0.001 mg/L).

The log Kow values range from 2.77 to 2.86 across different pH levels. This shows moderate fat solubility. The compound doesn’t explode or oxidize under normal use.

How It Works Against Orchard Pests

Coragen fits into IRAC Group 28—the anthranilic diamide class. It attaches to insect ryanodine receptors in muscle cells. This drains calcium stores inside the cells. Muscles stop working. Pests die within hours to days.

The product acts as both a stomach poison and contact killer. Target pests include Lepidopteran larvae like codling moths, oriental fruit moths, and leafrollers. It also stops Coleopteran larvae such as plum curculio beetles.

You get 21-28 days of pest control after spraying. This long-lasting action means fewer sprays than older products. Fewer sprays cut labor costs. Plus, you reduce environmental exposure.

Application Guidelines and Pest Spectrum

Mix Coragen with water in your spray tank. Add the product at 1/4 to 1/2 tank full. Stir well during mixing and all through spraying. The suspension concentrate blends well in water with proper handling.

Main targets include army fall worms, corn earworms, and diamondback moths. These Lepidopteran pests damage fruit directly in orchards. The product’s systemic action reaches pests eating inside growing fruit.

Safety and Resistance Management

Tests show low risk to people and pollinators. Acute oral LD50 exceeds 541 μg per bee over 48 hours. The 21-day NOEC for Daphnia magna measures 0.00447 mg/L. The product has minimal toxicity through breathing, skin touch, or swallowing for mammals.

Managing resistance takes discipline. Don’t overuse Group 28 insecticides in one season. Switch to products with different action modes. This slows resistance buildup. It keeps Coragen working well in your pest control plan for years.

Altacor (Dupont)

Dupont makes Altacor with 350 g/kg chlorantraniliprole. That’s almost double what you find in competing products. This strong chlorantraniliprole insecticide comes in two sizes: a 720 g pack for large farms and a 454 g bottle with a built-in measuring guide for smaller orchards.

Target Pests and Crop Range

Altacor controls the worst Lepidopteran pests in fruit production. Navel orangeworm (NOW) is the main target in tree nuts. Peach twig borer (PTB) and Oriental fruit moth (OFM) threaten stone fruits. Codling moth attacks pomes. Light brown apple moth (Epiphyas postvittana) damages many crop types.

You can use this product on tree nuts, pome fruits, stone fruits, citrus, and grapes. It also works in cotton and over 100 other crops. This flexibility means you can use one product across different operations.

Application Rates and Methods

Dilute spraying needs 9 g per 100 L water plus a non-ionic surfactant at 15 g active ingredient per 100 L. Agral 600 at 25 mL per 100 L works for this surfactant need. Wait 14 days before harvest for fruit crops.

For concentrate spraying, take the dilute rate and multiply by your concentrate factor. Here’s an example: A dilute rate of 150 g per 100 L becomes 450 g per 100 L at a 3x concentration factor. Keep minimum spray volume at 250 L per hectare no matter the concentration. You’ll use the same total product amount per hectare with both dilute and concentrate methods.

For foliar applications, use 3.0-4.5 oz per acre on grapes, pomes, stone fruits, citrus, and tree nuts. Go with the higher rate if pest pressure is high. Start your first application at egg hatch for best results.

Seasonal Limits and Spray Specifications

Most fruit crops need maximum 2 applications per season with at least 14 days between treatments. Wait 140 Degree Days after moth flight before you spray again. Grapes, pomes, stone fruits, citrus, tree nuts, and pistachios can take up to 4 applications per season. Don’t spray grapes after bunch closure.

Keep volume median diameter (VMD) above 250-300 microns. Lower spray pressures work better. Higher spray volumes cut drift risk. For dilute applications, spray until run-off.

Safety and Performance Timeline

Pests stop feeding within minutes of contact or eating the product. This fast action stops crop damage right away. The product keeps working for weeks. It targets both adult and young pests.

Bee toxicity tests show this product is safe for pollinators. The LD50 goes beyond 0.100 mg/kg at 48 hours for Apis mellifera. It has little impact on helpful insects. Your orchard’s natural pest control stays intact.

You can re-enter treated areas after just 4 hours. The short pre-harvest wait makes harvest planning easy. Workplace exposure limits set the AEL at 10 mg/m³ for total dust (8/12 hour TWA) and 5 mg/m³ for fine dust particles.

Chlorantraniliprole 18.5% SC (Pomaïs)

Pomaïs contains 18.5% chlorantraniliprole in a suspension concentrate. That’s 200 g/L active ingredient in liquid form. This product falls between standard-strength options and premium concentrates. Growers pick it for solid control without paying for ultra-concentrated formulas.

Chemical Profile and Formulation Advantages

The suspension concentrate format lets you adjust application volumes. Mix 60 ml per acre in standard spray programs. For spot treatments or focused applications, use 0.4 ml per liter of water. High-pressure operations can increase rates to 60-80 ml per acre. Pest severity and crop stage determine the exact rate.

The product works two ways. It kills pests on contact. Spray hits them and they die. It also moves through leaf tissue. This movement reaches pests feeding on leaf undersides. Larvae hidden in leaf curls still get a killing dose.

Purity testing shows 98-100% active ingredient in verified supplier batches. This high purity gives you consistent results across spray applications. You won’t see dosage drift. That problem happens with lower-quality products.

Target Range in Orchard Settings

This chlorantraniliprole insecticide controls the same moth pests as higher-concentration products. Codling moths, oriental fruit moths, and leafrollers all die from it. It also stops fruit borers that tunnel into apples, pears, and stone fruits.

The product also hits beetles and flies that attack fruit crops. Stem borers get controlled at their first larval stages. Cutworms die before they damage young trees in new plantings.

Root applications using the 0.4% GR (granular) version protect against white grubs in nursery orchards. The granular form stays in soil longer than foliar sprays. It suppresses grubs all season long.

Packaging and Price Structure

Pomaïs comes in multiple pack sizes for different farm scales. Small orchards use 100 ml to 5-liter bottles. Commercial operations buy 20-200 liter drums for season-long programs.

Indian market pricing (INR) starts at ₹1,670 per liter for bulk orders of 25 liters or more. Mid-volume buyers (50 liters minimum) pay ₹686-1,820 per liter. Regional distributors set the exact price. Some suppliers quote ₹845 per kilogram for 50 kg minimum orders. Factor in density conversions for those rates.

These prices make the 18.5% formulation cheaper than Coragen 20SC or Altacor 35WG. Cost per acre drops. You don’t need maximum concentration for your pest pressure level.

Application Timing and Rain Resistance

Spray at egg hatch or first larval emergence. The product stops feeding within hours. Damage stops before fruit scarring occurs. You get residual control that lasts 21-28 days in most orchard settings.

The active ingredient moves into leaf tissue. Rain can’t wash it off after that. Uptake happens within hours of application. This rain-fast quality protects your investment. Spring and summer weather can be unpredictable.

Keep spray intervals at 14 days minimum. Most orchard programs use two applications per season. Time them to moth flight patterns. High-pressure years may need a third spray. Monitor populations between standard treatment windows.

Safety Profile and Beneficial Insect Compatibility

Toxicity to mammals stays very low across all exposure routes. The product won’t harm orchard workers. Follow standard re-entry intervals. Predatory mites, lacewings, and parasitic wasps survive treatment. Your biological control team keeps working after you spray.

This selective action helps in organic-transition orchards. You can knock down pest outbreaks without destroying the ecosystem you’re building. Combine this product with pheromone traps and degree-day models. That approach cuts total chemical use. Commercial fruit quality stays high.

Procurement and Quality Verification

Request these documents before you buy in bulk: Certificate of Analysis (COA), Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS), Technical Data Sheet (TDS), and stability data. Verify label claims match actual concentrations. Some suppliers cut products. Others mislabel lower-grade material.

Rotate chlorantraniliprole insecticide with non-Group 28 chemicals. Use organophosphates, spinosyns, or Bt products between chlorantraniliprole applications. This rotation slows resistance development. It keeps all your tools effective for future seasons.

Exceliprole

Exceliprole 400SC has official registration from the Maryland Department of Agriculture under EPA product code 180752. The registration is valid through December 31, 2025. This formula contains 400 grams of active ingredient per liter in suspension concentrate form. That’s double what standard Chlorantraniliprole products offer.

Regulatory Status and Market Position

This chlorantraniliprole insecticide has legal clearance for orchard use in regulated farm markets. The EPA registration shows the product passed federal safety and performance tests. Growers need proof of compliance for export markets or certification programs? You can check this registration through state agriculture databases.

The 400SC label means a strong concentrate. You’ll use less product per acre than 18-20% formulas. This saves storage space. You’ll also handle fewer containers during spray season.

Formula Benefits for Commercial Operations

Suspension concentrates mix faster than wettable powders. The liquid stays even in your spray tank with standard mixing. You won’t face settling problems that affect some dry formulas.

The strong concentration means smaller packages cover the same acres. A 5-liter jug of Exceliprole 400SC equals about 11 liters of a standard 18.5% product. This helps you haul supplies to remote orchard blocks. Lighter loads save fuel. Fewer trips save time.

Concentrated products make storage easier. Climate-controlled warehouse space costs money. Smaller volumes cut your facility needs. The suspension concentrate stays stable at normal storage temperatures. Keep containers sealed and away from extreme heat.

Application Considerations

Check your state’s use restrictions before applying Exceliprole. Registration status differs by region. Some states need extra permits beyond the Maryland approval. Contact your local extension office to verify current rules.

The 2025 expiration date means renewal reviews are happening now. Watch for updates from the maker and EPA. Product supply may change based on registration terms. Plan your season’s purchases now. Stock what you need before any gaps in approval.

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Protecting your orchard from harmful pests doesn’t have to be a guessing game. We’ve explored five chlorantraniliprole insecticides—from industry leaders like Coragen 20SC and Altacor to specialized formulas like Exceliprole. Each brings unique strengths to your pest control tools. You prioritize rapid knockdown? Extended protection? Organic certification? There’s a solution that fits your orchard’s needs.

The most effective chlorantraniliprole insecticide isn’t always the most expensive one. It’s not the one you see advertised everywhere. It’s the one that matches your target pests. It fits your application timing. It works with your farm management practices. Check your orchard’s weak points first. Look at your beneficial insect populations. Think about resistance management strategies. Then make your selection.

Ready to take action? Start by identifying your primary pest pressures this season. Match them against the product profiles we’ve outlined. Need personalized recommendations for your orchard conditions? Consult with your local agricultural extension office. Or talk to a certified crop advisor. Your trees will benefit. So will your harvest.

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What’s your biggest pest challenge this season? The right choice today means healthier trees tomorrow.

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