Potential insect control compounds which are chromenes, as well as their method of preparation and use, are disclosed. Compounds have been found which are effective in the control of insects by inhibiting the actions of juvenile hormone. Examples of useful compounds are 6,7- dimethoxy-2,2-dimethyl-3-chromene and 7-methoxy-2,2-dimethyl-3- chromene which can be extracted from the common bedding plant Ageratum houstonianum. Such compounds act to induce precocious maturation of immature insects, resulting in death either during or within a short time before or after the molting process. Additional effects which have been obtained include sterilization of mature insects, interruption of embryogenesis in insect eggs, the induction of diapause in insects and the prevention of sex pheromone secretion in insects.
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