What term describes a pesticide that can target a wide variety of pests?

The term that describes a pesticide able to target a wide variety of pests is "broad-spectrum pesticide." These pesticides are formulated to affect multiple species of pests rather than being specific to only one or a few. This characteristic makes them particularly useful in situations where various pests are present, as it allows for more comprehensive pest management.

In agricultural and pest control contexts, broad-spectrum pesticides can effectively handle infestations by efficiently controlling a wide range of insects or diseases. They're often used when dealing with significant pest pressures, where the risk of crop damage is high, or in scenarios requiring rapid knockdown of various pest populations.

Other terms refer to different types of pesticides. For instance, narrow-spectrum pesticides specifically target a limited number of pests, which can be useful for minimizing impacts on beneficial organisms. Selective pesticides have specific modes of action that may affect only certain species, while residual pesticides are designed to remain active for an extended period after application in the environment but do not specifically indicate the range of pest targets. Understanding these distinctions helps in selecting the appropriate pest management strategy.