Dicyclanil prevents the moult from the first to the second larval instar of Lucilia sericata and Wohlfahrtia magnfica. It is less effective against later larval stages and does not have any adulticidal action. The mode of action of dicyclanil is believed to be similar to that of the triazine compounds.

In studies with the 50 mg/ml formulation, after 7 days post dosing, approximately 5 % of the dose was absorbed and eliminated in urine and faeces. Peak blood levels were observed between 12 and 48 hours post dose, accounting for < 0.025 mg dicyclanil equivalents/kg.

In experimental metabolism studies, absorbed drug was widely distributed throughout the body. Longest half lives were found in liver and kidney being 13 and 10 days respectively. In muscle, fat and wool, unchanged dicyclanil was found to be the major residue, whereas in liver and kidney the descyclopropyl dicyclanil was found to be the major residue together with unchanged dicyclanil.

Dicyclanil has the potential to cause harmful effects on aquatic invertebrates and dung fly larvae.

Following use of this product, levels of dicyclanil potentially harmful to dung fly larvae have been shown to be excreted in faeces for approximately 4 weeks. Faeces from treated animals may temporarily reduce the abundance of dung fly larvae which may impact on dung degradation.