Metacil Insecticide - Lambda-cyhalothrin 4.9% CS by Insecticides (India) Ltd for Cotton, Rice & Vegetables

Metacil is a modern, broad-spectrum insecticide from Insecticides (India) Limited (IIL), the trusted "Tractor Brand" among Indian farmers. It contains Lambda-cyhalothrin 4.9% CS, a synthetic pyrethroid formulated using advanced Capsule Suspension (CS) technology. In this formulation, the active ingredient is sealed inside microscopic polymer capsules suspended in water. This makes Metacil safer for the user compared to older solvent-based sprays, while providing powerful and long-lasting pest control.

Metacil is designed to control a wide range of chewing and sucking pests across many important crops. It is highly effective against bollworms in cotton, stem borers and leaf folders in rice, shoot and fruit borers in vegetables, and several other pests in crops like grapes, soybean, pomegranate, and cardamom. The CS technology gives Metacil a unique advantage — the micro-capsules stick firmly to plant leaves and release the chemical slowly over time, providing extended protection even in rainy conditions.

Farmers looking for a reliable, cost-effective solution for managing resilient pests will find Metacil a practical choice. It works through both contact and stomach action, ensuring that pests are controlled whether they touch the spray or feed on treated plant parts. With its Blue Triangle toxicity label (moderately toxic), it offers a good balance of effectiveness and user safety when handled with proper precautions.

Key Benefits

• Long-lasting residual control: The CS formulation releases the active ingredient slowly, keeping crops protected for days after spraying — longer than standard EC formulations.
• Dual action — contact and stomach poison: Kills pests on direct contact and also when they feed on treated leaves, leaving no escape.
• Smart "booby trap" release: Micro-capsules rupture only when a pest walks over them, delivering a fresh, lethal dose directly onto the insect.
• Excellent rainfastness: The formulation sticks firmly to plant surfaces and does not wash off easily during light rain, unlike older liquid sprays.
• Safer for crops and users: Water-based formula with no harsh solvents reduces the risk of leaf burn (phytotoxicity) and causes less skin irritation during mixing and spraying.
• Repellent and anti-feedant effect: Moths and pests avoid treated plants, reducing egg-laying and further crop damage.
• Cost-effective protection: Provides economical pest control per acre, making it a practical choice for large-scale farming.

How It Works

Metacil works by attacking the pest's nervous system. It belongs to IRAC Group 3A (Sodium Channel Modulators), which means it targets the sodium channels in nerve cells. When a pest comes into contact with the spray or ingests treated plant material, the active ingredient Lambda-cyhalothrin binds to these sodium channels and keeps them permanently open. This causes uncontrolled nerve firing, leading to tremors, paralysis (known as "knockdown"), and eventually death.

The unique CS formulation adds a smart delivery mechanism. The active ingredient is locked inside tiny polymer capsules. When a pest like a bollworm or caterpillar crawls over a treated leaf, the pressure from its body ruptures these capsules, releasing a concentrated dose directly onto the pest. This targeted release ensures the chemical remains effective for longer because it is protected inside the capsules until needed.

Additionally, Metacil acts as an anti-feedant — larvae stop feeding soon after contact — and a repellent, which discourages moths from laying eggs on treated plants. The result is quick knockdown within hours, followed by complete mortality typically within 24 hours.

Technical Specifications

Parameter	Details
Brand Name	Metacil
Manufacturer	Insecticides (India) Limited (IIL)
Technical Name	Lambda-cyhalothrin 4.9% CS
Formulation Type	Capsule Suspension (CS) — Micro-encapsulated
IRAC Mode of Action Code	Group 3A (Sodium Channel Modulator)
Chemical Group	Synthetic Pyrethroid (Type II / 2nd Generation)
Toxicity Label	Blue Triangle (Moderately Toxic)
HSN Code	38089199
GST Slab	18%
Available Pack Sizes	100 ml, 250 ml, 500 ml, 1 litre
Country of Origin	India

Recommended Dosage & Application

The Golden Rule: Always follow the "Dose per Acre" for accurate results. Use the recommended dose for your specific crop.

Crop	Target Pest(s)	Dose (ml/Acre)	Water (L/Acre)	Dose (ml/Litre)	PHI (Days)
Cotton	Bollworm Complex (American, Spotted, Pink), Jassids, Thrips	200 - 500 ml	200 L	1.0 - 2.5 ml	21
Rice (Paddy)	Stem Borer, Leaf Folder	100 - 300 ml	150 - 200 L	0.6 - 2.0 ml	15
Vegetables (Brinjal, Tomato, Chilli)	Shoot & Fruit Borer, Thrips, Beetles	120 - 300 ml	150 - 200 L	0.6 - 2.0 ml	5

Note: PHI (Pre-Harvest Interval) is the minimum number of days to wait between the last spray and harvesting. Vegetables have a short PHI of 5 days, making Metacil suitable for vegetable crops.

When to Use

Apply Metacil when the pest population reaches the Economic Threshold Level (ETL) — for example, when you see about 5% damaged bolls in cotton or early signs of stem borer or leaf folder damage in rice. Early-stage infestation is the best time to spray, as the product works most effectively on young larvae and active pests.

For best results, spray in the early morning or late evening. This timing helps protect beneficial insects like honeybees, which are less active during these hours. Avoid spraying during peak flowering times when bees are actively pollinating. Since Metacil is a contact poison, thorough coverage of the entire plant — including the undersides of leaves where pests often hide — is essential for effective control.

Step by Step Usage Instructions

1. Calculate the dose: Measure the correct amount of Metacil based on your crop and acreage using the dosage table above.
2. Prepare the spray solution: Fill the spray tank with half the required water. Add the measured dose of Metacil and mix well. Then add the remaining water and stir again to ensure uniform mixing.
3. Check equipment: Use a hollow cone nozzle for good coverage. Ensure the sprayer is clean and functioning properly.
4. Spray thoroughly: Apply the mixture evenly over the crop foliage. Make sure to cover the undersides of leaves where pests like bollworms and borers hide.
5. Clean up: After spraying, wash the sprayer thoroughly with clean water. Do not dispose of leftover spray solution or wash water near ponds, wells, or water bodies.
6. Post-application care: Wash hands, face, and all exposed body parts with soap and water. Change and wash the clothes worn during spraying separately.

Compatibility

Do NOT mix Metacil with alkaline fungicides such as Bordeaux mixture or Lime Sulphur. Alkaline substances break down the Lambda-cyhalothrin molecule and destroy its effectiveness. If tank-mixing with other products is needed, always do a small jar test first to check for any physical incompatibility (clotting, separation, or settling).

Precautions & Safety

• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Always wear gloves, a face mask, and goggles while mixing and spraying. Wear full-sleeved clothing and boots to minimize skin exposure.
• During application: Do not eat, drink, or smoke while handling or spraying the product. Avoid inhalation of spray mist.
• After application: Wash hands, face, and all exposed skin thoroughly with soap and water. Wash contaminated clothing separately before reuse.
• Storage: Store in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. Keep out of reach of children and away from food, feed, and animal feed.
• Environmental safety: Highly toxic to fish and aquatic life. Do not apply near ponds, rivers, or water bodies. Do not contaminate water sources during mixing or equipment cleaning.
• Disposal: Do not reuse empty containers. Dispose of them safely by crushing or burying away from water sources.

Side Effects & Phytotoxicity

Metacil is formulated as a water-based CS (Capsule Suspension) with no harsh solvents, which significantly reduces the risk of leaf burn or scorching on sensitive crops, flowers, and young shoots. However, as with all chemical pesticides, avoid spraying during extreme heat or when plants are under moisture stress. Always follow the recommended dose — over-application may cause crop stress.

PHI / REI & Storage

Crop	PHI (Pre-Harvest Interval)
Cotton	21 days
Rice (Paddy)	15 days
Vegetables (Brinjal, Tomato, Chilli)	5 days

Storage: Store in original container in a cool, dry place away from heat and direct sunlight. Keep tightly sealed when not in use. Shelf life as per manufacturer's guidelines on the product label.