Rubus Protect

Systemic pest control: a technical review

«Rubus Protect» is an insecticide based on imidacloprid, belonging to the chloronicotinyl class. The core of its efficiency lies in its systemic action: the active substance, once applied to the vegetative parts of the plant, is rapidly absorbed by the tissues and distributed through the vascular system. This creates a protective barrier that remains active for an extended period, regardless of wash-off by precipitation.

Cellular mechanism of action

Imidacloprid acts as an antagonist to nicotinic acetylcholine receptors in the nervous system of insects. Unlike contact insecticides that require direct hits, «Rubus Protect» affects insects feeding on the sap or tissues of the treated plant. Blocking these receptors triggers hyper-excitation, convulsions, and eventual death. This is critical for controlling hidden-living species.

Formulation and technical advantages

The manufacturer, Hangzhou Ruijiang Chemical Co., Ltd., uses a «water-dispersible granules» formulation. This form offers several engineering advantages:

• High dispersibility: the granules dissolve rapidly and completely in water, creating a stable working solution without precipitation.
• Operator safety: the absence of dust formation during mixture preparation minimizes inhalation exposure.
• Stability: the product is less sensitive to temperature fluctuations during storage.

Application areas and control spectrum

The product is designed to protect fruit and vegetable crops. Key targets include:

• Fruits (apple, pear): codling moth, aphids, leaf rollers, leafhoppers.
• Vegetables and Solanaceae (tomato, eggplant, potato): Colorado potato beetle, thrips, sunn pest.

The systemic nature of the product allows for the effective protection of even new plant growth that appears after the spraying process. Adherence to hazard class 3 requires standard precautions when handling agrochemicals. Integrating «Rubus Protect» into a protection program allows for reducing the frequency of applications due to its prolonged protective effect.