ABSTRACT
The purpose of this chapter is to outline the many reactions of xenobiotic metabolism, to indicate which of these reactions are known to be involved in selectivity, and to suggest which ones might be utilized in the development of new insecticides that show selective toxicity to target species. Primarily, we hope to provide a basis to enhance understanding of subsequent chapters. Emphasis is placed on insecticide metabolism and, when possible, the examples used are insecticides although some reactions have not, to the present, been demonstrated with insecticides as substrates. It will also be indicated which reactions have been demonstrated in insects and which in nontarget, particularly mammalian, species.
