Cyfluthrin is a pyrethroid insecticide and a modulator of voltage-gated sodium channels (Na_v).^1,2It slowly activates rat recombinant Na_v1.8 channels, delays inactivation by longer than 40 ms, and induces persistent tail currents in channels expressed inX. laevisoocytes.¹It also decreases the mean burst rate in rat primary neurons (IC₅₀= 0.99 μM, respectively).²Cyfluthrin is toxic to various insects, includingA. melinus,G. ashmeadi,E. eremicus, andE. formosa(LC₅₀s = 7, 67, 96, and 63 ng/ml, respectively) and theA. sinensismosquito (LC₅₀= 0.446 ppm).^3,4It is also toxic toA. melliferahoneybees (LD₅₀= 0.22 ppm), affecting locomotor activity and wing fanning behavior with an increase in the mean bout duration of time spent upside down, indicating disruption of the righting reflex, and a decrease in wing fanning behavior when administered at a dose of 10 ng/bee.⁵Formulations containing cyfluthrin have been used for the control of insects in agriculture and for non-commercial purposes.

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