Flupyradifurone (Sivanto) is Bayer answer to the pollinator crisis — a systemic insecticide that controls the same pests as neonicotinoids but with dramatically reduced bee toxicity. It can be applied during bloom on bee-attractive crops, something no neonicotinoid can claim.
Aphids, whiteflies, psyllids (including Asian citrus psyllid), leafhoppers, soft scales, mealybugs. Primarily sucking insects. Systemic action — absorbed by plant and distributed through vascular tissue.
Sivanto Prime (Bayer — professional/agricultural), Sivanto 200 SL, BioAdvanced 3-in-1 Insect, Disease & Mite Control (contains flupyradifurone — consumer product). One of the few products in this class available to homeowners.
Low mammalian toxicity. EPA Reduced Risk status. The key breakthrough: genuinely low toxicity to honey bees at field-relevant doses. Multiple independent studies confirm bees exposed to flupyradifurone show no significant mortality, behavioral changes, or colony effects at labeled application rates.
How is it bee-safe when it hits the same receptor? Flupyradifurone is rapidly metabolized by bees — their detoxification enzymes break it down much faster than they break down neonicotinoids. The compound reaches the target receptor but doesn't accumulate to lethal levels. Essentially, bee livers can handle it; pest insect livers cannot.
For homeowners: BioAdvanced 3-in-1 (available at major retailers) contains flupyradifurone and can be used on ornamentals and some vegetables. If you're concerned about pollinators but need systemic insect control, this is currently the best option available to consumers.