Insecticides
Insecticides
1. Jack R. Plimmer,
2. Derek W. Gammon
Published Online: 16 APR 2004
DOI: 10.1002/0471238961.0914190513052003.a01.pub2
Copyright © 2001 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Book Title
Kirk-Othmer Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology
Abstract
Insects constitute an immense drain on food resources worldwide, as well as being serious disease vectors. Insecticide applications are made directly to raw agricultural commodities to protect plants and animals from insect attacks. Official national and international bodies regulate pesticide use and set permitted maximum residue levels or MRLs/tolerances for residues of insecticides and degradation products. Insect vectors spread many human and animal diseases. It was estimated in 2000 by the World Health Organization (WHO) that malaria caused close to 3 milllion deaths annually. Major health and economic benefits are associated with the continued use of insecticides, and the combination of newly introduced chemical classes with improved understanding of pest management has done much to reduce both the amounts used and the risks to nontarget species and the environment. Historically, many insecticidal preparations were derived from plant species. Synthetic organic chemicals were introduced in the 1930s, but the scale of their use increased during the immediate postwar years, with the introduction of the chlorinated insecticides, the carbamates and the organophosphates. Chlorinated organic insecticides were used in quantity, particularly for control of disease vectors, but they became recognized as ubiquitous environmental pollutants. Their effectiveness fell as insect resistance became widespread. Newer insecticides based on substantially different modes of action and of greater environmental acceptability are replacing older compounds. Newer types include growth regulators, juvenile hormone analogs, compounds affecting other metabolic pathways, such as chitin synthesis, and compounds affecting insect behavior.
1. Jack R. Plimmer,
2. Derek W. Gammon
Published Online: 16 APR 2004
DOI: 10.1002/0471238961.0914190513052003.a01.pub2
Copyright © 2001 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Book Title
Kirk-Othmer Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology
Abstract
Insects constitute an immense drain on food resources worldwide, as well as being serious disease vectors. Insecticide applications are made directly to raw agricultural commodities to protect plants and animals from insect attacks. Official national and international bodies regulate pesticide use and set permitted maximum residue levels or MRLs/tolerances for residues of insecticides and degradation products. Insect vectors spread many human and animal diseases. It was estimated in 2000 by the World Health Organization (WHO) that malaria caused close to 3 milllion deaths annually. Major health and economic benefits are associated with the continued use of insecticides, and the combination of newly introduced chemical classes with improved understanding of pest management has done much to reduce both the amounts used and the risks to nontarget species and the environment. Historically, many insecticidal preparations were derived from plant species. Synthetic organic chemicals were introduced in the 1930s, but the scale of their use increased during the immediate postwar years, with the introduction of the chlorinated insecticides, the carbamates and the organophosphates. Chlorinated organic insecticides were used in quantity, particularly for control of disease vectors, but they became recognized as ubiquitous environmental pollutants. Their effectiveness fell as insect resistance became widespread. Newer insecticides based on substantially different modes of action and of greater environmental acceptability are replacing older compounds. Newer types include growth regulators, juvenile hormone analogs, compounds affecting other metabolic pathways, such as chitin synthesis, and compounds affecting insect behavior.
References: The following articles are from J. R. Plimmer, ed., The Encyclopedia of Agrochemicals, Wiley, New York, 2003. J. R. Plimmer “Insecticidal Carbamates,” Vol. 2, pp. 924–932; J. R. Plimmer and D. W. Gammon, “Insecticides, Organochlorines,” Vol. 2, pp. 946–977. I. Ishaaya and D. Degheele, Insecticides with Novel Modes of Action, Springer, Berlin, 1998. CrossRef A. S. Perry, I. Yamamoto, I. Ishaaya, and R. Y. Perry, Insecticides in Agriculture and Environment, Springer, Berlin, 1998. CrossRef I. Ishaaya, ed., Biochemical Sites Important in Insecticide Action and Resistance, Springer, Berlin, 2001.