What type of pesticide is effective after a pest has attacked a plant?

Curative pesticides are specifically designed to treat an existing infestation or disease after it has affected a plant. They function by removing or controlling pests that are currently damaging the plant, thereby restoring plant health. This effectiveness makes them vital for dealing with pest outbreaks and ensuring that the plant can recover from the injury sustained during the attack.

Preventive pesticides, on the other hand, are used to prevent pest infestations before they occur, which is not applicable once a pest has already attacked. Systemic pesticides can also play a role in treating existing infestations, as they are absorbed by plants and can attack pests from within. However, they are not specifically categorized as curative. Insect growth regulators are used to disrupt the life cycle of pests, which can be beneficial but do not directly target existing infestations as curative pesticides do. Thus, curative pesticides remain the most effective option for addressing pest issues after they have started.