Acetamiprid is a carboxamidine that is acetamidine in which the amino hydrogens are substituted by a (6-chloropyridin-3-yl)methyl and a methyl group while the hydrogen attached to the imino nitrogen is replaced by a cyano group. It has a role as a neonicotinoid insectide, an environmental contaminant and a xenobiotic. It is a monochloropyridine, a nitrile and a carboxamidine. It derives from a 2-chloropyridine. Acetamiprid is an insecticide that is currently approved for EU use. It is highly soluble in water and is volatile. Based on its chemical properties it would not be expected to leach to groundwater. It is not persistence in soil systems but may be very persistent in aquatic systems under certain conditions. It has a moderate mammalian toxicity and it has a high potential for bioaccumulation. Acetamiprid is a recognised irritant. It is highly toxic to birds and earthworms and moderately toxic to most aquatic organisms. Acetamiprid is a nicotinic agonist that reacts with nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nACh-R). The activation of the nACh-R receptors causes hyperactivity and muscle spasms, and eventually death.

Imidacloprid is a systemic, chloro-nicotinyl insecticide used for the control of sucking insects such as fleas, aphids, whiteflies, termites, turf insects, soil insects, and some beetles. It is used on co on and vegetable crops as foliar and seed treatments, soil, structures, indoor and outdoor insect control, home gardening and pet products. It is indicated for the prevention of heartworm disease caused by Dirofilaria immitis. It kills adult fleas and is indicated for the treatment of flea infestations (Ctenocephalides felis). It is also indicated for the treatment and control of the following intestinal parasites Hookworm species, Roundworm species, Whipworms. Adverse events in animals included: malaise, vomiting, diarrhea, shaking, mydriasis, hypersalivation with abnormal neurologic signs, seizures, death, generalized hematoma of the body, and alopecia at the treatment site. Adverse reactions in humans included: burning, tingling, numbness, bad taste in the mouth, dizziness, and headache.