ABSTRACT

For decades, the backbone of most pest management programs in agriculture have been broad spectrum insecticides, primarily organophosphates, carbamates, pyrethroids, and, to a lesser extent lately, organochlorines. These are mainly neurotoxins, differing in the specific mode of action. Organophosphates and carbamates are cholinesterase inhibitors, affecting the neurotransmitter acetyl cholinesterase at the nerve synapse. Organochlorines and pyrethroids affect the transport of ions across axonic membranes, affecting the transmission of electrical charges along the neuron.