Abamectin
Other trade name: Affirm, Agri-Mek, Avid, Dynamec, Vertimec and Zephyr, also known as Avermectin B1 and MK-936.
Physical Properties:
CAS #: Avermectin B1a - 65195-55-3; Avermectin B1b - 65195-56-4
Chemical name: avermectin B1a
Chemical Class/Use: avermectin acaricide/insecticide; macrocyclic lactone disaccharide isolated from the soil bacterium Streptomyces avermitilis.
Density: 1.16 at 21 degrees C
H20 solubility: practically insoluble; 7.8 ppb
Solubility in other solvents: soluble in acetone, methanol, isopropanol and toluene Melting point: 155-157 degrees C
Vapor pressure: negligible; 1.5 x 10 to the minus 9 torr
Koc: 4,000

INTRODUCTION
Abamectin is a mixture of avermectins containing > 80% avermectin B1a and < 20% avermectin B1b. These two components, B1a and B1b have very similar biological and toxicological properties. The avermectins are insecticidal or anthelmintic compounds derived from the soil bacterium Streptomyces avermitilis. Abamectin is a natural fermentation product of this bacterium. Abamectin is used to control insect and mite pests of a range of agronomic, fruit, vegetable and ornamental crops, and it is used by homeowners for control of fire ants. Doses of 50 to 200 ug/kg of ivermectin, a similar member of the avermectin family of comounds, is widely used to treat humans in the World Health Organization onchocerciasis (river blindness) program