Insecticides vs Pesticides
Insecticides are a type of pesticide used to prevent, destroy, repel, or control insect pests under the economical threshold level. The terms “pesticide” and “insecticide” are often used interchangeably, but there are some differences between these two substances. This article will discuss the characteristics of both pesticides and insecticides.
Insecticide
Insecticides target the egg or larval stage of insects and are classified under several categories. They can be categorized according to their chemical nature, such as inorganic compounds, botanical insecticides, organochloride compounds, organophosphorus compounds, carbamates, synthetic pyrethroids, and chitin inhibitors. Alternatively, they can be classified by their mode of action, including stomach toxicants, contact toxicants, systemic toxicants, and fumigants.
Systemic insecticides kill insects through feeding, and contact insecticides kill insects through direct contact with the insect’s body. Therefore, systemic insecticides are incorporated with plants. Sap-feeding insects are more susceptible to systemic insecticides. Insecticides are toxicants and can adversely affect humans and the environment.
Pesticide
Pesticides are pest-killing agents. They can be defined as “any substance or mixture of substances, intended for preventing, destroying, or controlling pests” or as “an economical poison used for preventing, destroying, repelling, or mitigating any animal pest, pathogen, or weed.” Pesticides can be classified according to the target organism, chemical nature, and physical structure.
Pesticides targeting specific organisms include insecticides (killing agents of insects), termiticides (killing agents of termites), tickicides (killing agents of ticks), avicides (killing agents of birds), and miticides (killing agents of mites), among others. Pesticides can also be classified based on their chemical composition, such as inorganic, organic, synthetic, natural, or botanical pesticides. Additionally, pesticides come in various physical forms, including granules, emulsifiable concentrates, wettable powders, water-soluble powders, and dispersible concentrates. Synthetic pesticides are manufactured as a technical-grade material (T.C.), including their active ingredient.
Pesticide formulation is essential in pesticide application. It should ensure the improvement of the pesticide’s properties, handling, effectiveness, and safety. Since pesticides can have an adverse effect on non-targeted organisms, safety precautions are necessary in pesticide application. Therefore, novel techniques of pesticide applications take place in an environmentally friendly pathway.
Key Takeaways
- Insecticides are a type of pesticide specifically targeting insects, while pesticides cover a broader range of pest-killing substances.
- Both insecticides and pesticides are toxic and can have adverse environmental impacts; they are both manufactured as technical-grade materials.
- Novel trends in pesticide application are moving towards environmentally friendly pathways.
