Clothianidin 50% WG Insecticide Uses

Clothianidin 50% WG is a broad-spectrum, systemic insecticide from the neonicotinoid chemical class, registered for use in India under the Insecticides Act, 1968 and sold under various trade names including Indotop and Dhansu. It carries label recommendations across cereals (rice), cash crops (cotton, sugarcane, tea), oilseeds (groundnut) and fruit crops (grapes), used both as a foliar spray against sucking pests and as a soil application against root-zone pests such as termites and white grubs. Clothianidin remains legally registered and sold in India; always confirm the current pack label before use. This page lists its mode of action, key benefits and the recommended crop-wise dosage as per manufacturer labels.

Mode of Action

Clothianidin acts on the insect nervous system by binding to nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) at nerve synapses, mimicking the natural neurotransmitter acetylcholine but without being broken down normally. This causes continuous, uncontrolled nerve stimulation, leading to paralysis and death of the target insect. Because insect nAChRs differ structurally from those in mammals, this mode of action gives good selectivity against target pests at labelled rates. Clothianidin is systemic — readily absorbed by roots and leaves and translocated throughout the plant — which is why it is effective both as a foliar spray against sucking pests like hoppers, jassids, thrips and whiteflies, and as a soil/seed-zone application against root-feeding pests such as termites and white grubs, protecting the plant from below as it grows.

Features & Benefits

• Broad-spectrum, systemic control of major sucking pests — brown plant hopper, jassids, whitefly, thrips, mealybugs and mosquito bug — across rice, cotton, tea and grapes.
• Effective soil-applied option against root-zone pests such as termites (sugarcane) and white grubs (groundnut), in addition to foliar use.
• True systemic movement gives extended protection as the plant grows, reducing the need for very frequent reapplication.
• Works well as part of a rotation program against sucking pests that have developed resistance to older insecticide classes.

Recommended Usage of Clothianidin 50% WG Insecticide

The table below gives the commonly recommended dose and water volume per acre for each crop and target pest, as listed on manufacturer labels for this active ingredient. Soil applications use a higher dose and water volume than foliar sprays. Always confirm against the current product label before use.

Doses above are the commonly listed formulation-label rates for Clothianidin 50% WG, rounded to practical spray-tank quantities. Waiting periods are notably long for soil applications (particularly sugarcane against termites) because the product is applied at planting/early crop stage, well ahead of harvest. Always confirm the current pack label/CIB registration and consult your local agricultural extension office for the latest guidance before harvest.

How to Use

1. Identify your crop and target pest from the table above, and confirm whether a foliar spray or soil application is recommended, along with the correct dose.
2. For a foliar spray, measure the required quantity and mix it thoroughly into the full spray tank water volume, then spray for uniform coverage using a knapsack or power sprayer.
3. For a soil application, mix the required quantity into the specified larger water volume and apply to the root zone/soil as directed on the label, typically at planting or early crop stage.
4. Apply at the first sign of pest appearance for best results; 2–3 applications spaced 10–15 days apart are typically recommended for continued pest pressure.
5. Always respect the waiting period before harvest, which varies significantly between foliar and soil applications.

Precautions & Safety

• Wear appropriate PPE — mask/respirator, gloves, goggles and full-sleeved clothing — while mixing and applying.
• Neonicotinoid insecticides like clothianidin are highly toxic to bees; avoid spraying during crop flowering and avoid drift onto flowering weeds or neighbouring crops where bees are foraging.
• Do a small jar-compatibility test before tank-mixing with other agrochemicals.
• Store in the original, tightly closed container in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight, food, feed and out of reach of children and livestock.
• Respect the waiting period (PHI) listed for each crop/application type above before harvesting, and follow your local agricultural extension advice for the latest guidance.
• Neonicotinoids share a common mode of action; avoid repeated, back-to-back applications on the same crop/pest and rotate with an insecticide from a different resistance group as part of a resistance-management program.
• Wash hands, face and any exposed skin thoroughly with soap and water after handling, and change out of contaminated clothing before eating, drinking or smoking.