Laboratory tests on sorption and transformation of the insecticide flubendiamide in Japanese tea field soil

► Laboratory tests on sorption, leaching, microbial and photo-induced microbial transformation were performed. ► Strong sorption was revealed by batch equilibrium and column tests. ► High persistence was found in aerobic biotransformation tests. ► An enhanced biotransformation by photo-induced impacts could not be confirmed. ► Field studies are necessary to elucidate fate and behavior of flubendiamide in Japanese tea field soil.