Coumaphos is a nonvolatile, fat-soluble

phosphorothioate Thiophosphates (or phosphorothioates, PS) are chemical compounds and anions with the general chemical formula (''x'' = 0, 1, 2, or 3) and related derivatives where organic groups are attached to one or more O or S. Thiophosphates feature tetrahedr ...

with

ectoparasiticide An ectoparasiticide is an antiparasitic drug used in the treatment of ectoparasitic infestations. These drugs are used to kill the parasites that live on the body surface. Permethrin, sulfur, lindane, dicophane, benzyl benzoate, ivermectin and ...

properties: it kills

insects Insects (from Latin ') are hexapod invertebrates of the class Insecta. They are the largest group within the arthropod phylum. Insects have a chitinous exoskeleton, a three-part body (head, thorax and abdomen), three pairs of jointed ...

and

mites Mites are small arachnids (eight-legged arthropods) of two large orders, the Acariformes and the Parasitiformes, which were historically grouped together in the subclass Acari. However, most recent genetic analyses do not recover the two as eac ...

. It is well known by a variety of brand names as a dip or wash, used on farm and domestic animals to control ticks, mites, flies and fleas. It is also used to control ''Varroa'' mites in

honey bee A honey bee (also spelled honeybee) is a eusocial flying insect within the genus ''Apis'' of the bee clade, all native to mainland Afro-Eurasia. After bees spread naturally throughout Africa and Eurasia, humans became responsible for the ...

colonies, though in many areas it is falling out of favor as the mites develop resistance and as the residual toxicity effects are becoming better understood. In

Australia Australia, officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country comprising mainland Australia, the mainland of the Australia (continent), Australian continent, the island of Tasmania and list of islands of Australia, numerous smaller isl ...

, its registration as suited to home

veterinary Veterinary medicine is the branch of medicine that deals with the prevention, management, diagnosis, and treatment of disease, disorder, and injury in non-human animals. The scope of veterinary medicine is wide, covering all animal species, both ...

use was cancelled by the

Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority The Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) is the Australian Government statutory agency responsible for the management and regulation of all agricultural and veterinary chemical products in Australia. History The APVMA ...

in June 2004 after the manufacturer failed to show it was safe for use on pets. The compound has been linked to neurological problems in bees, and may be a factor in colony collapse. It is classified as an extremely hazardous substance in the United States as defined in Section 302 of the U.S.

Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act The Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act of 1986 is a United States federal law passed by the 99th United States Congress located at Title 42, Chapter 116 of the U.S. Code, concerned with emergency response preparedness. On Octobe ...

(), and is subject to strict reporting requirements by facilities which produce, store, or use it in significant quantities.

References

External links

Coumaphos
US Environmental Protection Agency {{Acetylcholine metabolism and transport modulators Acetylcholinesterase inhibitors Organophosphate insecticides Coumarin drugs Chloroarenes Organothiophosphate esters Ethyl esters