Insecticides
Insecticides are chemicals used to control insects by either killing them or preventing them from engaging in undesirable or destructive behaviors.
Let’s explore some key types and their modes of action:
Organochlorine:
- These act on neurons by causing a sodium/potassium imbalance, disrupting nerve impulses.
- Some also affect the GABA receptor, leading to hyperexcitability, tremors, and convulsions.
- Organochlorines are broad-spectrum insecticides but are no longer widely used.
Organophosphate:
- They inhibit acetylcholinesterase (AChE), leading to acetylcholine accumulation.
- Result: rapid twitching of voluntary muscles and eventual paralysis.
- Organophosphates are highly toxic to vertebrates.
Carbamates:
- Similar to organophosphates, they also inhibit AChE.
- Broad-spectrum toxicity, highly toxic to fish.
- Keep sodium channels open in neuronal membranes.
- Cause hyperexcitability, tremors, and paralysis.
- Effective against many agricultural pests, but extremely toxic to fish.
- Block postsynaptic nicotinergic acetylcholine receptors irreversibly.
- Used for sucking insects, soil insects, whiteflies, termites, and more.
Insecticides play a pivotal role in various sectors, safeguarding crops, public health, and the environment from the detrimental effects of insect pests. Their versatile applications extend across agriculture, pest control, horticulture, floriculture, and even household settings. Commonly used insecticides include organophosphates, pyrethroids, and carbamates12.
If you have specific questions about insecticides or need further details, feel free to ask!
