methoprene

[ meth-uh-preen ]

noun

, Chemistry.

1. a synthetic insect juvenile hormone, C 1 9 H 3 4 O 3 , used as a biological pesticide primarily on mosquito and fly larvae to prevent maturing to the adult state.

Word History and Origins

Origin of methoprene¹

1970–75; probably metho(xy-) + pr(opyl) + -ene