Benevia® Insecticide (FMC) – Complete Usage Guide
The Ultimate "Cross-Spectrum" Solution for Chewing and Sucking Pests
Benevia® is a revolutionary oil-based insecticide developed by FMC Corporation to solve a major farming challenge: handling multiple pest types at once. Unlike older chemicals that only kill worms or only kill sucking pests, Benevia® handles both.
Powered by the active ingredient Cyantraniliprole (Cyazypyr®), it is specially formulated to penetrate waxy leaves and protect high-value crops like Chilli, Tomato, and Cotton from devastating pests like Black Thrips and Fruit Borers.
Why Choose This Product? Key Benefits
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Rapid "Stop-Feed" Action: Pests stop eating your crop within minutes of contact, preventing damage immediately even if the insect dies later.
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Dual Protection (Cross-Spectrum): A single spray controls both chewing pests (caterpillars/borers) and sucking pests (thrips, aphids, whiteflies).
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Protects New Growth: The medicine moves upward inside the plant (translocation), protecting new leaves and shoots that grow after you spray.
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Excellent Rainfastness: Due to its Oil Dispersion (OD) technology, it sticks to the plant and becomes rainproof within 2 to 4 hours.
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Stops Virus Transmission: By quickly paralyzing vectors like Whiteflies and Thrips, it prevents them from spreading viral diseases (like Leaf Curl Virus).
Technical Specifications
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Brand Name | Benevia® |
| Technical Name | Cyantraniliprole 10.26% OD |
| IRAC MoA Code | Group 28 (Diamides) |
| Chemical Group | Anthranilic Diamide |
| Formulation | Oil Dispersion (OD) |
| Toxicity Label | Blue/Green (Low to Moderate Toxicity) |
How It Works: Mode of Action
Benevia works by targeting the muscles of the insect rather than the nervous system. It binds to the Ryanodine Receptors, which control calcium in the muscles.
- Exposure: The insect eats a treated leaf or comes into contact with the spray.
- Calcium Depletion: The chemical forces the insect's muscle calcium to spill out uncontrollably.
- Paralysis: This causes immediate muscle paralysis. The insect loses the ability to move or eat and dies shortly after.
Note: Because it works on muscles, you might see the insect alive but motionless on the leaf. It is harmless as it has stopped feeding.
Target Crops & Pests
| Crop | Target Pest(s) |
|---|---|
| Chilli (Peppers) | Black Thrips (T. parvispinus), Fruit Borers, Tobacco Caterpillar |
| Tomato | Fruit Borer, Leaf Miner, Whitefly (Vector control) |
| Cotton | Whitefly, Aphids, American & Spotted Bollworms |
Dosage & Application Guide
The Golden Rule: Always follow the "Dose per Acre" for accurate results. Never under-dose, as this leads to resistance.
Dosage per Acre, Litre, & Pre-Harvest Interval (PHI)
| Crop | Dose (ml / Acre) | Water (L / Acre) | Dose (ml / Litre) | PHI (Days) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chilli & Veg | 240ml - 360ml | 200 L | 1.2ml - 1.8ml | 3 Days |
| Cotton | 360ml | 200 L | 1.8ml | 7 Days |
| Grapes/Pom | 280ml - 300ml | 200 L | 1.5ml | 5 Days |
*PHI = Pre-Harvest Interval: The minimum number of days to wait between the last spray and harvesting. Use the higher 360ml dose for heavy Thrips parvispinus infestation.
How to Apply: Best Practices
- Timing: Best applied during the flowering and early fruit setting stage. This protects the flowers from thrips and prevents borers from entering young fruits.
- Mixing (Crucial): This is an Oil Dispersion (OD). You MUST shake the bottle vigorously before measuring. If the water pH is high (>8), add an acidifier to bring it to pH 6-7.
- Coverage: Do not cut costs on water. Use at least 200 Litres of water per acre. The oil needs water to spread properly to the undersides of leaves where pests hide.
- Safety: Always wear PPE (gloves, mask, goggles). Wash hands thoroughly after use. Avoid spraying when bees are actively foraging (spray in late evening).
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Benevia® vs. Coragen®: What is the difference?
Coragen® (Chlorantraniliprole) is excellent mainly for caterpillars and borers. Benevia® (Cyantraniliprole) is more advanced—it kills caterpillars PLUS sucking pests like Thrips, Aphids, and Whiteflies. If you have mixed pests, Benevia is the better choice.
2. Does Benevia kill the Black Thrips (Thrips parvispinus)?
Yes, it is one of the most effective rescue chemistries for Black Thrips in Chilli. For best results against this resistant pest, use the higher dose (360ml/acre) and ensure thorough coverage of the flowers.
3. Can I mix Benevia with other fungicides or NPK?
Benevia is generally compatible with most common fungicides. However, avoid mixing it with highly alkaline products (like Bordeaux mixture) or adding extra stickers/spreaders, as the OD formulation already has strong sticking agents.
4. What is the price of Benevia per acre?
The cost typically ranges from ₹2,400 to ₹3,100 per acre depending on the dosage used (240ml vs 360ml) and local retailer discounts. While expensive, it often saves the cost of mixing two separate sprays.
5. How many times can I spray it in one season?
To prevent resistance, do not spray Benevia more than 2 times per crop season. Always rotate with a different chemical group (like Spinetoram or Broflanilide) for the next spray.
Safety & Disclaimer
Always read and follow the instructions on the official product label. The information provided here is for guidance only. Use personal protective equipment (PPE) during application. This product is toxic to aquatic life; do not let runoff enter fish ponds.
