General purpose insecticides: Many insecticides have a broad spectrum of activity, which means that they kill several different types of pests such as caterpillars, beetles, and bugs. These broad spectrum insecticides can be either conventional synthetic chemicals, which are derived from petroleum, or they may be botanical insecticides, which are derived from plants. Examples of broad spectrum synthetic insecticides are Sevin (carbaryl), methoxychlor, malathion, diazinon, Imidan (phosmet), Thiodan (endosulfan), and permethrin. Examples of broad spectrum botanical insecticides are pyrethrins, rotenone, azadirachtin (neem), and sabadilla. Fruit growers should be aware that broad spectrum insecticides, whether synthetic or botanical, are toxic to beneficial insects as well as to pest insects. Beneficial insects include pollinators such as honey bees; predators such as lady beetles and lacewings; and parasitoids such as braconid wasps and tachinid flies.
Special purpose insecticides & pesticides: Some insecticides are used to control only one particular type of pest. Examples are B.t. (Bacillus thuringiensis) for caterpillars, lindane for wood borers, lime sulfur for scale insects, horticultural spray oil for scale insects and mites, and insecticidal soap for aphids and other soft-bodied pests. Chemicals used for mite control are called miticides or acaricides; the only miticide available for use in home fruit plantings is Kelthane (dicofol). Chemicals used for slug control are called molluscicides; the only molluscicide available for use in home fruit plantings is metaldehyde.
Characteristics, target pests, target crops: Characteristics of insecticide products are given in Table 4. Details about which insecticide can be used to control specific pests on specific crops are listed in Tables 5 and 6. Details about how close to harvest each pesticide can be used is given in Table 3. Table 7 provides information on diseases controlled by specific fungicides.