Fluvalinate[1] is a synthetic pyrethroid chemical compound contained as an active agent in the products Apistan,[2] Klartan, and Minadox, that is an acaricide (specifically, a miticide), used to control Varroa mites in honey bee colonies,[3] infestations that constitute a significant disease of such insects.
Fluvalinate is a stable, nonvolatile,[4] viscous, heavy oil (technical) soluble in organic solvents.[5]
Health and Environmental Impacts
Fluvalinate is considered an acute toxic, health hazard and environmental hazard by ECHA (European Chemicals Agency).
The chemical is fatal if inhaled and is extremely toxic to aquatic life. Hazard codes indicate fluvalinate is both an acute and long-term toxic hazard in aquatic systems. It is considered a developmental hazard[6] though there are no established chronic effects in adult humans.[7]
Fluvalinate can be found in both honey and beeswax though it tends to migrate to beeswax over time due to its lipophilic nature.[8]
Pesticide products containing fluvalinate have been banned in Denmark because the chemical can degrade into trifluoroacetic acid, which can then contaminate groundwater and not decompose.[9]
Tau-fluvalinate (τ-fluvalinate) is the trivial name for (2R)-fluvalinate. The C atom in the valinate structure is in (R)-absolute configuration, while the second chiral atom is a mixture of (R)- and (S)-configurations:[5]
Bessin R (2016). "Varroa Mites Infesting Honey Bee Colonies [Insect & Pest Info, Home & Health Pests, ENTFACT-608, April 2016 revision]". North Lexington, KY: University of Kentucky, Department of Entomology. Retrieved 28 August 2016. Apistan is a product available that will kill the mites and cause the mites to drop from the bees. ... Apistan strips, which contain the miticide fluvalinate, are available from most large beekeeping suppliers and can be used both for detection and treatment of varroa infestations.
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