Insecticide metabolism and selective toxicity

Abstract

1. Current research is focused on (a) means to improve the environmental acceptability and selective toxicity of existing classes of insecticides and (b) the search for new and species selective modes of insecticidal action.

2. The study of species differences in metabolism and its modulation by changes in chemical structure is a vital component of this effort.

3. The importance of metabolism is illustrated by examples from the major classes of insect control chemicals, namely organophosphorus and carbamate insecticides, DDT, pyrethroids and insect growth regulators.