Insecticide

Insecticides are substances used to kill insects. They include ovicides and larvicides used against insect eggs and larvae, respectively. Insecticides are used in agriculture, medicine, industry and by consumers. Insecticides are claimed to be a major factor behind the increase in the 20th-century's agricultural productivity. Nearly all insecticides have the potential to significantly alter ecosystems; many are toxic to humans and/or animals; some become concentrated as they spread along the food chain.

Types of Insecticides

Insecticides can be classified into two major groups: systemic insecticides, which have residual or long term activity; and contact insecticides, which have no residual activity.

Systemic Insecticides

Systemic insecticides are those that are transported throughout the plant to all the tissues (leaves, flowers, roots and stems, as well as the pollen and nectar).

Contact Insecticides

Contact insecticides are toxic to insects upon direct contact. These can be inorganic insecticides, which are metals and include the commonly used sulfur, and the less commonly used arsenates and fluorides.

Health Effects

Insecticides can pose a risk to the environment and to the health of people who are exposed to them. Some insecticides can be harmful or lethal to humans if ingested or inhaled, or if they come into contact with the skin.

Regulation

In many countries, use of insecticides is highly regulated. In the United States, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulates the use of all insecticides under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA).

See Also

• Pesticide
• Herbicide
• Fungicide

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