What is a common target of insecticides?

Insecticides are specifically designed to target insects, making them effective in pest management by disrupting their biological processes. These chemicals can affect the nervous system, metabolism, or reproductive systems of insects, leading to their mortality or reduced population. This targeted application is crucial because it allows for the control of pest species that can damage crops, transmit diseases, or disrupt ecosystems, while minimizing harm to non-target organisms, such as plants and beneficial insects.

The effectiveness of insecticides often relies on the unique physiological characteristics of insects, which are distinct from those of other organisms like plants, fungi, and bacteria. By focusing their action on these specific characteristics, insecticides can provide effective pest control without necessarily affecting other organisms adversely.