Which insecticide is the synthetic version of pyrethrins?

Which insecticide is the synthetic version of pyrethrins?

• A. Pyrethrins
• B. Neonicotinoids
• C. Organophosphates
• D. Pyrethroid

Answer: (D)

Synthetic analogs of the natural insecticide pyrethrins are pyrethroids. Pyrethrins are compounds from chrysanthemum flowers that quickly stun insects but break down in sunlight. To gain longer-lasting control, chemists created pyrethroids, which keep the same general nerve-targeting action as pyrethrins but are more stable in the environment. So the best choice is the pyrethroid, because it is the engineered, synthetic version designed to mimic pyrethrins while improving stability and persistence. The other options represent different insecticide classes or the natural form itself: neonicotinoids act on nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, organophosphates inhibit acetylcholinesterase, and pyrethrins are the natural counterpart to pyrethroids.

Synthetic analogs of the natural insecticide pyrethrins are pyrethroids. Pyrethrins are compounds from chrysanthemum flowers that quickly stun insects but break down in sunlight. To gain longer-lasting control, chemists created pyrethroids, which keep the same general nerve-targeting action as pyrethrins but are more stable in the environment. So the best choice is the pyrethroid, because it is the engineered, synthetic version designed to mimic pyrethrins while improving stability and persistence. The other options represent different insecticide classes or the natural form itself: neonicotinoids act on nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, organophosphates inhibit acetylcholinesterase, and pyrethrins are the natural counterpart to pyrethroids.