Description

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)