Novaluron, or (±)-1-[3-chloro-4-(1,1,2-trifluoro-2-trifluoro- methoxyethoxy)phenyl]-3-(2,6-difluorobenzoyl)urea, is a chemical with pesticide properties, belonging to the class of insecticides called insect growth regulators.

In the United States, the compound has been used on food crops, including apples, potatoes, brassicas, ornamentals, and cotton.

Patents and registrations have been approved or are ongoing in several other countries throughout Europe, Asia, Africa, South America, and Australia.

The US Environmental Protection Agency and the Canadian Pest Management Regulatory Agency consider novaluron to pose low risk to the environment and non-target organisms and value it as an important option for integrated pest management that should decrease reliance on organophosphorus, carbamate and pyrethroid insecticides.

Member states of the European Union were allowed to award temporary permits for products based on novaluron.

The most likely hypothesis is that benzoylphenyl ureas interrupt the in vivo synthesis and transport of specific proteins required for assemblage of polymeric chitin.

[11] In comparison to other benzoylphenyl ureas, novaluron demonstrates improved contact toxicity, while the probable mechanism of action remains the same.

A notable exception to this is a study evaluating the efficacy of various insecticides on the stem borers Diatraea saccharalis and Eoreuma loftini, in which the results seemed to indicate that these organisms were not susceptible to novaluron.

[14] In a sub chronic rat oral study, mortality, clinical signs, body weights, food consumption and efficiency, urinalysis and gross pathology were unaffected by novaluron.

At 2000 ppm, cumulative body weight gains were observed and some histopathological changes in the spleens were noted; however, these effects were not statistically significant.

Indications have been found that novaluron is bioaccumulative, and that it could provide risks for invertebrate aquatic animals, but studies are inconclusive.