Beyond the Label: What is Another Name for Imidacloprid?

October 9, 2025 •

3 min read

As one of the world's most widely used insecticides, neonicotinoids accounted for 24% of the global insecticide market in 2008. This article answers, 'What is another name for imidacloprid?' and explores its diverse applications and names.

Quick Summary

Imidacloprid is sold under many trade names, including Advantage® for pet flea control and Merit® or Gaucho® for agricultural uses. It is a systemic neonicotinoid insecticide that targets the nervous system of insects.

Key Points

Chemical Identity: Imidacloprid is a systemic insecticide from the neonicotinoid class, which acts as an insect neurotoxin.
Veterinary Names: In pharmacology, it is commonly known by brand names like Advantage®, Advantage II®, and is a component in Seresto® collars for flea control on pets.
Agricultural Names: For crops, turf, and pest control, it is sold under names such as Merit®, Gaucho®, Confidor®, and Premise®.
Mechanism of Action: It blocks nicotinic acetylcholine receptors in insects, causing paralysis and death, and is more toxic to insects than mammals.
Applications: It's used for flea control, seed treatments, soil and foliar applications on over 140 crops, and termite control.
Environmental Impact: Its use is controversial due to high toxicity to pollinators like bees, leading to bans and restrictions in the EU and some US states.
Systemic Nature: As a systemic pesticide, it is absorbed by plants and distributed through their tissues, protecting them from the inside out.

Introduction to Imidacloprid

Imidacloprid is a systemic insecticide belonging to the neonicotinoid class, known for its efficacy at low application rates. It was first registered in the U.S. in 1994, mimicking nicotine to disrupt insect nervous systems. It works by blocking nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, causing paralysis and death, with higher selectivity for insects over mammals. Imidacloprid is versatile and used as a seed treatment, soil injection, foliar spray, or topical animal treatment.

So, What is Another Name for Imidacloprid?

Imidacloprid is known by numerous names depending on its use and manufacturer. While Bayer CropScience is a major producer, many generic versions exist. Its chemical name is N-{1-[(6-Chloro-3-pyridyl)methyl]-4,5-dihydroimidazol-2-yl}nitramide, but it's more commonly known by its trade names.

Here is a list of common brand and trade names for imidacloprid:

For Veterinary Pharmacology (Flea & Tick Control):
- Advantage®
- Advantage II®
- K9 Advantix® (in combination with other active ingredients)
- Seresto® (in combination collars)
For Agriculture, Turf, and Structural Pest Control:
- Merit®
- Gaucho® (often for seed treatment)
- Confidor®
- Admire®
- Premise® (for termite control)
- Marathon®
- Provado®
- Winner®
- Maxforce®

Mechanism of Action: How It Works

Imidacloprid acts as an insect neurotoxin. It functions as an agonist on postsynaptic nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) in insects, mimicking acetylcholine and causing persistent nerve stimulation. This leads to a blockage of neuronal pathways, resulting in paralysis and death. This action is particularly effective against sucking insects and fleas. Its selective toxicity, with higher affinity for insect nAChRs, contributes to its safety margin for mammals.

Diverse Applications

Pharmacology and Veterinary Use

In veterinary pharmacology, imidacloprid is widely used for flea control in pets like dogs, cats, and ferrets. It's a key ingredient in topical spot-on treatments, spreading across the skin to kill fleas on contact. It's often combined with other active ingredients to provide broader parasite protection.

Agricultural and Environmental Use

Agriculture is the primary area of imidacloprid use. Its systemic nature means plants absorb it and distribute it internally, making them toxic to feeding insects. It is used on numerous crops, including rice, cereals, potatoes, vegetables, cotton, and fruits, as well as for turf and ornamental tree protection.

Imidacloprid vs. Fipronil: A Comparison

Comparing imidacloprid to fipronil helps illustrate its market position.


Feature	Imidacloprid	Fipronil
Insecticide Class	Neonicotinoid	Phenylpyrazole
Mode of Action	Blocks nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, causing nerve over-stimulation	Blocks GABA-gated chloride channels, leading to central nervous system disruption.
Primary Targets	Sucking insects (aphids, whiteflies), fleas, termites, grubs	Fleas, ticks, termites, cockroaches, ants
Systemic Action	Yes, readily moves through plant tissues	Limited systemic activity in plants; primarily a contact and ingestion insecticide.
Common Vet Brand	Advantage®	Frontline®

Safety and Environmental Concerns

The extensive use of imidacloprid and other neonicotinoids raises significant environmental concerns. It was the most used insecticide globally from 1999 to 2018. Its water solubility and persistence pose a risk of groundwater and surface water contamination.

The main concern is its impact on pollinators like honeybees. Even low exposure can harm bee navigation, foraging, and immune responses. Residues can be present in treated plants' nectar and pollen. An EFSA report in 2018 concluded neonicotinoids are a high risk to bees, leading the EU to ban outdoor uses of imidacloprid and similar chemicals. The EPA in the U.S. has also noted potential harm to endangered species.

Conclusion

Imidacloprid is a widely used insecticide known by many names, including veterinary brands like Advantage® and agricultural ones like Merit® and Gaucho®. Its effectiveness stems from its action on insect nervous systems. However, environmental risks, particularly to pollinators, have led to restrictions. Recognizing its various names and uses is crucial for understanding its role in pharmacology and the environment. For more details, the National Pesticide Information Center provides fact sheets.

Frequently Asked Questions

The most common brand names for imidacloprid include Advantage® for pet flea control, and Merit®, Gaucho®, and Confidor® for agricultural and turf applications.

Yes, when used as directed in topical veterinary products like Advantage®, imidacloprid is considered safe for dogs and cats. It is more toxic to insects than mammals because it binds more effectively to insect nerve receptors.

Imidacloprid is a systemic insecticide belonging to the neonicotinoid class. These chemicals are synthetic and modeled after nicotine to act as neurotoxins for insects.

Imidacloprid interferes with the transmission of nerve impulses in an insect's nervous system by blocking nicotinic acetylcholine receptors. This leads to paralysis and eventual death.

Imidacloprid is banned for all outdoor uses in the European Union and restricted in some U.S. states primarily due to scientific evidence showing it poses a high risk to pollinators, especially honeybees and wild bees.

A systemic insecticide is one that is absorbed by a plant and distributed throughout its tissues (leaves, stems, flowers, and pollen). Insects are then exposed to the chemical when they feed on any part of the plant.

Yes, due to its high water solubility and persistence, imidacloprid has a high potential to leach through soil and contaminate groundwater, especially in areas with permeable soils and shallow water tables.