Rotenone

Definition

A naturally occurring isoflavone compound extracted from roots and seeds of Fabaceae plants (notably Derris, Lonchocarpus, and Tephrosia species) that functions as a potent mitochondrial Complex I inhibitor, blocking electron transport and ATP production. Historically employed as a broad-spectrum insecticide, acaricide, and piscicide; its insecticidal use has been restricted or banned in many jurisdictions due to toxicity concerns, though it remains approved for targeted fish removal in aquatic restoration and invasive species management.

Etymology

From the plant genus Rotenone was first isolated from (Japanese 'roten' referring to derris root extracts used as fish poison)

Example

Rotenone was once widely applied to protect legume crops against leaf-feeding beetles and caterpillars, but its non-selective toxicity to beneficial insects, including pollinators and predatory arthropods, contributed to regulatory phase-out; it persists in use for eliminating invasive fish from watersheds prior to native species reintroduction.

Synonyms

• rotenoid

Related Terms

• piscicide
• Insecticide
• acaricide
• mitochondrial inhibitor
• Complex I inhibitor
• rotenoid
• botanical insecticide
• Integrated Pest Management
• aquatic restoration

Usage Notes

Distinguish between historical insecticidal applications (now largely obsolete) and current conservation uses as a piscicide. The compound is lipophilic and shows differential toxicity across taxa: highly toxic to fish and many insects at low concentrations, with variable susceptibility among terrestrial arthropods. In research contexts, rotenone serves as a standard pharmacological tool to induce oxidative stress and model Parkinson's disease mechanisms. Field use requires careful application timing and buffer zones to minimize impacts on non-target aquatic invertebrates.