What type of pesticide affects some species but not all?

The type of pesticide that specifically affects certain species while leaving others unharmed is known as a selective pesticide. This classification is important because it allows for the control of targeted pests without harming beneficial organisms in the environment. For example, a selective herbicide may kill specific weeds while preserving the surrounding grass or flower species.

Selective pesticides are designed to interact with specific biological pathways or mechanisms that are present in the target pests but absent or significantly different in non-target species. This principle of selectivity is frequently utilized in agriculture and pest management to minimize the ecological impact of pest control measures, ensuring the protection of beneficial insects, plants, and soil organisms.

In contrast, non-selective pesticides do not differentiate between types of organisms and can harm all plants or pests they come into contact with. Broad-spectrum pesticides have a similar attribute, as they are effective against a wide range of pests or diseases, again lacking the selectivity of their counterparts. Fumigants are a special class of pesticides that are often used in enclosed spaces to control various pests through gas or vapor, but they also do not possess the selective qualities that carefully target specific species.