Long before corporate sustainability statements and environmental impact reports became standard practice, the founders responsible for what would become Central Life Sciences were carving a path toward a more sustainable world. This blog introduces a series exploring our ongoing commitment to corporate sustainability and the innovative solutions that have shaped our journey, beginning with insect regulator (IGR) technology.
Our story began in 1968, when Dr. Carl Djerassi and his team made a groundbreaking discovery: insect growth regulators (IGRs). IGRs revolutionized insect control by introducing a method that interferes with the development and reproduction of insects rather than killing through direct toxicity. Beginning with methoprene, and the later discovery of hydroprene and kinoprene, these compounds became the building blocks of the comprehensive Central Life Sciences portfolio of insect control solutions.
Let’s take a deeper look at the molecules (S)-methoprene and (S)-hydroprene, and discover how Central Life Sciences has leveraged them to make pest control more sustainable.
The Molecules That Made Us
(S)-Methoprene, our pioneering IGR, works by impacting maturation in insects during critical developmental stages, effectively halting growth and reproduction. It is particularly effective against insects undergoing complete metamorphosis with four distinct life stages, such as ants, fleas, mosquitoes, and stored product moths and beetles.
Developed as a companion product to (S)-methoprene, (S)-hydroprene passed EPA registration requirements in 1986. (S)-Hydroprene targets cockroaches and has demonstrated effectiveness against bed bugs, fruit flies, and drain flies. For some insects, it impacts egg development or female fertility. This IGR is especially potent against pests with incomplete metamorphosis, like cockroaches and bed bugs, and has a unique ability to translocate. Heavier than air, (S)-hydroprene travels on air currents, reaching deep into hidden pest habitats.
Over the decades, we have continued to build out our offering of insect growth regulators with new uses for varied markets, including:
- In 1975, feed-through horn fly control for cattle featuring (S)-methoprene was invented and approved by the EPA. This process of delivering fly control products to animals as a “feed-through” utilized the animal as the delivery system for the IGR to control horn fly larvae in manure. Our Altosid® IGR line of feed-through solutions is still an industry leader for horn fly control on cattle.
- In 1979, after testing the effects of methoprene on cigarette beetles, the first ever application of an IGR as a crop protection solution was approved, paving the way for a more proactive and environmentally conscious form of insect control that allows producers to protect commodities in storage. (S)-Methoprene is featured in our Diacon® IGR and Gravista® Insecticide combination product lines.
- To this day, (S)-methoprene remains one of the most widely used IGR technologies available, featured in various products across all markets we serve.
Incorporating IGRs into feed-through fly control and stored grain protection applications allowed Central Life Sciences to bring more sustainable pest management into new markets, targeting pests’ life cycles while minimizing environmental impact.
The Sustainable Impact of IGRs
IGRs represented a fundamental shift in pest management. Unlike chemical pesticides, which often work by directly killing insects and can impact beneficial species and ecosystems, IGRs take a targeted approach. By interfering with the insects’ life cycles, these growth regulators prevent larvae from maturing into adults, effectively controlling populations without affecting non-target organisms. This precise mechanism minimizes environmental disruption and reduces the need for broad-spectrum chemical treatments.
The introduction of methoprene also set a new standard for environmental responsibility. Methoprene degrades rapidly in the environment, leaving practically no harmful residues and posing minimal risk to mammals, birds, or aquatic life. This made it a preferred choice for mosquito abatement programs around the world, particularly in ecologically sensitive areas.
At Central Life Sciences, we believe that corporate sustainability isn’t just a statement—it’s a responsibility. The innovations that began with Dr. Djerassi’s discovery continue to inspire our work today, as we develop products that meet the demands of modern pest management while helping to protect the environment for future generations.
By focusing on long-term solutions that prioritize environmental health, Central Life Sciences remains committed to leading the way in sustainable pest control.
Stay tuned for more stories from our journey of innovation and corporate sustainability.