Translocation of pymetrozine in plants

Pymetrozine, a pyridine-azomethine, is a selective biocide against aphids, whiteflies and plant hoppers with a high plant systemic activity. By means of bioassays and autoradiographic techniques it has been shown that this systemic behaviour originates not only from xylem but also from phloem mobility. After foliar application the growing points of plants are protected by pymetrozine imports mainly from leaves. This indicates a high importance of phloem mobility for the systemic activity of pymetrozine against plant-sucking insects.