Module 2

The Pesticide

Course Outline

The pesticide
The history of pesticides
Types of pesticides
Composition of a pesticide product
Pesticides used and patterns
Different formulations of pesticides
Goals of pesticides formulations:
Objectives of pesticide formulation
Chemistry and Vocabulary of Pesticides

I. MODULE OVERVIEW

Pesticides are compounds designed primarily to kill pests. These are

available in a variety of formulations. Pesticides are the most powerful tools
available for use in pest management. They are highly effective, rapid in
curative action, adaptable to most situations, flexible in changing agronomic
and ecological conditions, and relatively economical. Pesticides are the only
tool for pest management that is reliable for emergency action when pest
population approach or exceed the economic threshold (Metcalf, 1982).

The most important tool to the layman in the safe use of insecticides is the
label on the container. The pesticide label contains necessary information
about the chemical product and this should always be read and totally
understood before any handling is done. The label is an excellent source of
information concerning the safe and effective use of a pesticide. It is written
material or graphic design printed on the container of the chemical. The label
is a legal document that in most countries requires government approval.

II. LEARNING OUTCOME

At the end of this topic, students can be able to:

1. Know the historical background of pesticides

2. Define pesticide

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 3. Describe a pesticide
4. Differentiate the types of pesticides
5. Classify pesticides
6. Develop a pesticide

III. LEARNING CONTENTS

The Pesticides

The word pesticide means “to kill pests”. Thus, the term usually refers to
any substances that are used to destroy pests. Food and agriculture
organization (FAO) define pesticides as any substance or product, or mixture
thereof, including active ingredients, adjuvants and pesticide formulations,
intended to control, prevent, destroy, repel or mitigate directly or indirectly,
any pest (FPA).
Any substance or mixture of substances intended for preventing,
destroying, or controlling any pest, including vectors of human or animal
diseases, unwanted species of plants or animals, causing harm during or
otherwise interfering with the production, processing, storage, transport, or
marketing of food, agricultural commodities, wood and wood products or
animal feedstuffs, or substances that may be administered to animals for the
control of insects, arachnids, or other pests.

History of Pesticides

Year Events
100 The Romans use hellebore to control rats, mice & insects
BC
100 Sulfur (brimstones) used in fumigation & other forms of
0 BC pest control
900 Chinese use arsenic to control garden insects
AD
166 Earliest mention of arsenic as insecticide in Western world,
9 used with honey as an ant bait
169 Tobacco extracts used as contact insecticide
0
177 Nicotine fumigation by heating tobacco and blowing
3 smoke on infested plants
178 Soap mentioned as insecticide. Turpentine emulsion
7 recommended in insect control
188  Persian louse powder (pyrethrum) known as the Caucasus.
0  Spray of lime & sulfur recommended in insect control.

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  Whale oil prescribed as scalecide.
182 Fish oil advocated as insecticide
0
182 Mixture of mercuric chloride and alcohol recommended
2 for bed bud control
182 Quassia used as insecticide in fly baits
5
184 Whale – oil soap mentioned as insecticide
2
184 Derris (rotenone reported being used insect control in Asia
8
185 Pyrethrum first used in the United States
8
185 Phosphorus paste used in cockroach control
9
186 Paris green used as insecticide
7
187 Hydrogen cyanide (HCN) first used as fumigant, to
7 fumigate museum cases
188 Lime + sulfur used in California against San Jose scale
0
188 Naphthalene cakes used to protect insect collections
2
 Lead arsenate first prepared & used to control gypsy moth
189 in Massachusetts, USA.
2  First use of a dinitrophenol compound, the potassium salt
of 4 - 6 - dinitro - 0 - cresol, as insecticide
189 Oil of citronella used as a mosquito repellant
7
Zinc arsenite first recommended as insecticide p -
191
dichlorobenzene applied in the United States as a clothes
2
moth fumigant
192 Geraniol discovered to be attractive to the Japanese beetle
3
 Cube (Derris) first tested as an insecticide in the United
192
States.
4
 First test of cryolite against Mexican bean beetle
 TEPP, first organophosphate insecticide, discovered by
193
Gerhardt Schrader
8
 Bacillus thuringensis first used as microbial insecticide
193 Introduction of the first insect repellant called Rutgers 612
9
194 Sesame oil patented as synergists for pyrethrin insecticides

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0
Hexachlorocyclohexane (BHC) discovered in France to be
194 insecticidal.
1 Introduction of aerosol insecticides propelled by liquefied
gases.
194 Chlordane the first introduced persistent, chlorinated
5 cyclodiene insecticides
Organophosphate insecticides, TEPP & parathion,
194
developed by the Germans, made available to US
6
producers
 Toxaphene insecticide introduced; the most heavily used
194 insecticide in US agriculture history.
7  The Federal Insecticides, Fungicides & Rodenticide Act
(FIFRA) become a law
194 Appearance in dieldrin & aldrin, the best of the persistent
8 soil insecticides
194 First synthesis of a synthetic pyrethroids, allethrin
9
195 Malathion was introduced, probably the safest
0 organophosphate insecticide
195 Introduction of the first carbamate insecticides: isolan,
1 dimetan, pyramat, pyrolan
195  Insecticidal properties of diazinon described in Germany
3  Guthion insecticide introduced
195 Deet, the first truly satisfactory insect repellant, becomes
5 available
195 Introduction of first successful carbamate insecticide,
6 Carbaryl
196 Publication of Silent Spring by Dr. Rachel Carlson
2
196 Appearance of Temik, first soil applied insecticide –
5 nematicide
Discovery of tetramethrin, resmethrin and bioresmethrin,
196
synthetic pyrethroids with greater activity than natural
8
pyrethrins
Formation of Environmental Protection Agency (EPA),
197
which becomes responsible for registration of pesticides
0
(instead of USDA)
197 Introduction of the first microencapsulated insecticide,
2 Penncap MR, methyl-parathion
 Development of first photo – stable synthetic pyrethroids,
197
permethrin
3
 Cancellation of virtually all uses of DDT by the EPA

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 First standard set for worker reentry into pesticide treated
197
fields by EPA e.g. reentry intervals of 24 or 48 hours
4
dependent on dermal toxicity of pesticide
 Cancelation of all used of Aldrin and Dieldrin, except
197 termiticide
5  First insect growth regulator (methropene) registered with
EPA
 Introduction of FicamR, first household – grade wettable
powder.
197  Appearance of InsectapeR, insecticide – impregnated
6 adhesive tapes for household use.
 Most pesticidal uses of mercury compounds cancelled by
EPA.
197 Introduction of microencapsulated pyrethrins plus
7 synergists for household use

Types of Pesticides

• Insecticides – insects
• Miticides/Acaricide – mites, ticks, spiders
• Molluscicide – snails, slugs
• Nematicide – nematodes
• Rodenticide – rats, mice, rodents, squirrels
• Bactericide – bacteria
• Fungicide – fungi
• Weedicide/Herbicide – weeds
• Algicides – algae
• Biocides – microorganisms
• Ovicides – insect and mite eggs
• Avicides – birds
• Termiticide – termites

Composition of a pesticide product

A pesticide product is composed of at least one active ingredient and inner

ingredients. The active ingredient is the chemical that controls the target pest
and thus, the most important component. Usually, this substance cannot be
added directly to water or to the plants and requires combination with other
materials such as solvents, wetting agents, stickers, powders, or granulars.

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 Pesticides used and patterns

1. Sprays

a. Emulsifiable concentrates (EC)

High concentrated liquids applied on fruit trees, shade trees, farm animals and
structural pests
• Contain spreaders & stickers, emulsifier, organic solvent, and other additives so
it will mixed with water or oil
• White when added to water
• 2-8 lbs. AI per gram ; 80 – 100% AI
• insecticide, herbicide, fungicide
Advantages: Require moderate agitation; little visible residue; because of high
concentration- storage, transport or handling a large bulk of chemical is not a
problem, does not plug, nonabrasive, suitable in a wide range of applicators
Disadvantages: easy to overdose and underdose because of high
concentration; they are dangerous to humans because of their liquid form,
which allows the pesticide to be absorbed through the skin; cause hazard if
improperly stored; their solvents cause rubber hoses, gasket and pump parts
to deteriorate rapidly unless they are made up of neoprene rubber.

b. Wettable or Soluble powder (WP or SP)

• Pesticides in a finely dry powder form and a wetting agent that contains high
concentration of pesticides.
• Wettable powder when mixed with water form a suspension, 25 - 80% AI, while
soluble powder dissolves in water form solutions.
Advantages: relatively cheap per unit, easy to carry and store, easily
measured and mixed, not absorbed easily through the skin, effective to treat
foliage.
Disadvantages: they may be toxic to the applicators if inhaled; it must be
agitated periodically in the spray tank or they will settle out, leaves residue,
clogs nozzle
WP is added to an inert diluent, it is either a finely ground talc or clay, and
wetting agent or surfactant (detergent, oil) and mixed thoroughly. Without
the surfactant, the powder would float when added to water and the two
would be impossible to mix.

c. Flowables (F)
• Flowables are made of finely ground solid particles of insecticides which are
suspended in a liquid
• Physically they are thick and creamy and they vary in appearance from tan to
white
• Shake before added to water and applied

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• Do not clog nozzles and required moderate agitation

2. Dusts
 Consist of finely ground, dry mixture in combination with low concentration of
pesticide with an inert carrier such as talc, clay or volcanic ash
 1 -10% AI
 Use to control lice, fleas and other external parasites on pets and farm
animals, roaches, and other domestic insects living in cracks and crevices;
 Insecticide & fungicide are usually in the form of D
 Toxic agent with active diluent e.g. sulfur, diatomaceous earth
 Toxic agents with inert diluent e.g. home garden insecticide – fungicide
combination in pyrophyllite carrier
 boric acid in aerosol form
Advantage: require no mixing & can be applied directly to the plant; the
concentration is usually mixed with a diluent to the strength required in the
field
Disadvantage: Not usually used on a large scale out-of-doors because it may
drift to long distances from where they were applied & contaminate areas
where humans & livestock are present ; heavy rains can wash off dust deposit
very easily, dust have a poor rate of deposit on foliage unless it is wet from,
dew or rain, expensive

3. Aerosols
 Pressurized can “bug bombs”
 AI in solution in a pressurized container
 Contain small amount of pesticide and is often used in household, backyards
and other small areas
 insecticides, herbicides, algicides
Advantage: very convenient; bought in small quantities; easily stored
Disadvantage: Aerosols are only practical for use in small areas; container can
be dangerous if punctured or overheated, it may explode/flammable;
inhalation injury is possible; high cost; drift s problem

4. Granular
 5 – 20% AI added to porous solid material
 Used for soil treatments to control pests living at the ground level or
underground
 Used as soil systemic
 In the form of insecticides, herbicides, algicides
 Dry and ready-to-use, low concentrate mixture of pesticide and inert carriers
that in granular form
Advantage: non-toxic to applicators and do not drift from the target area;
need not further mixing

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 Disadvantage: cannot be used to treat foliage because they will not stick to it;
uptake of the pesticide by the plant maybe negligible in dry conditions, maybe
eaten by non-target organisms, may get trapped in some plants

5. Fumigants
 F are pesticides in the form of poisonous gases that kill when absorbed or
inhaled
 Stored products, space treatment, plants, soil treatment, burrows and other
unexposed areas
 Insecticide & nematicide
 F are volatile and enter the insect’s body through the respiratory system
Advantage: A single F may be toxic to many different forms and types of pests
Disadvantage: They must be applied in an enclosed area or incorporated into
the soil, highly toxic, can burn skin, (recommended to use protective gear
when applying)

6. Baits
 AI mixed with edible substances. Baits are eaten by pests and cause their
death.
Advantage: Useful for pests such as rats, mice, rodents, flies, birds, roaches,
ants, slugs etc. that range over a large area; only applied on areas where pests
gather so there only small amounts of pesticide used in small area thereby
environmental pollution is minimized.
Disadvantage: Attractive and dangerous to children and livestock; ineffective
when the pest prefers the crop rather than the bait; when large pests are
killed, the bodies must be disposed. If not, it will cause an odor and or
sanitation problem.

7. Slow-release insecticides
 Microencapsulated materials for agriculture, mosquito abatement and
household
 AI is encased in a capsule
 Mixed in a suspension
 Slow release of AI once applied
Advantage: safe and easy to handle; capsule prevents dermal absorption by
the applicator
Disadvantage: bees may carry capsules back to hive in pollen basket which
can destroy the hive; may clog nozzle screens; agitation required to keep
suspended. Paint – on lacquers for pest control operators and homeowners.
Adhesive tapes for pest control operators and homeowners. Resin strip
containing volatile, organophosphate fumigant

Different Formulations of Pesticides

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• Active ingredient – the actual chemical in the product mixture that controls the
pest
• Synergists - are a type of an active ingredient that is sometimes added to
formulations. They enhanced another AI’s ability to kill the pest while using
the minimum amount of AI, but do not themselves possess pesticidal
properties
• Inert ingredients – any substance in a pesticide product having no pesticidal
action but may aid in the application of the AI. These are solvents, carriers,
adjuvants etc
• Solvents – are liquids that dissolve the AI
• Carriers – are liquids or solid chemicals that are added to a pesticide product to
aid in the delivery of the AI
• Adjuvants – help make the pesticide stick to or spread out on the application
surface. Other adjuvants aid in the mixing of some formulations when they are
diluted for application.
• Emulsifier - is a detergent-like substance that makes it possible for the pesticide
dissolved in the solvent to mix with water
Goals of pesticides formulations:
• Satisfactory storage
• Effective application
• Safety of the applicator and the environment
• Ease of application with readily available equipment
• Economy
Objectives of pesticide formulation
• To come up with a formulation that is easy to store, apply and is effective.
• For economy
• Benefit of using pesticide – the 1st line of defense in pest control when crop
injuries and losses become economic, and they are the only answer to a
severe outbreak or emergency.

Toxicity Oral LD50 Amount that will kill an

(mg/kg) average adult

Super toxic Less than 5 A few drops

Extremely 5 to 50 Up to a tea spoon
toxic
Highly toxic 50 to 500 Tea spoon up to 2 table
spoons
Moderatel 500 to 1 ounce to 12 ounces
y toxic 5,000
Slightly 5,000 to 12 ounces to ½ gallon
toxic 15,000

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 Measurement of Toxicity on Pesticide:

LD 50- lethal dose, use to denote toxicity of a pesticide. The average dose in
milligrams of a particular pesticide per kilogram of body weight (mg/kg) that is
needed to kill 50% of the experimental animals. The type of animal used (rat
and mice) and the route of exposure (oral or dermal) are normally indicated.

LC 50- lethal concentration. Concentration of toxic compound in water that

will kill half of the insects in water.

LT 50- lethal time, represents the time required to kill 50% of the pest
population
Guidelines for LD50 values in relation to toxicity to humans

Chemistry and Vocabulary of Pesticides

• Atom – smallest part or unit of an element
• Element – any of the substances that cannot be resolved by chemical means into
simpler substances
• Compound – combination of two or more different elements e.g. water, salt,
DDT
• Molecule – when different atoms combine or join; the smallest part or unit of a
compound. Combinations of 2 or more elements bound together by chemical
bonds are chemical compounds.
E.g. water H2O – 2 atoms of H bonded to 1 atom of oxygen, H-O-H

Chemical elements from which pesticides are made:

Element Symbol Element Symbol
Arsenic As Iron Fe
Boron B Lead Pb
Bromine Br Magnesium Mg
Cadmium Cd Manganese Mn
Carbon C Mercury Hg
Chlorine Cl Nitrogen N
Copper Cu Oxygen O
Flourine F Phosphoru P
s
Hydrogen H Sodium Na
Sulfur S Tin Sn
Zinc Zn    

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*21 out of more than 105 chemical elements are used to produce pesticides. Some
include metallic and semi metallic
 Abbrev  Meaning elements such as Iron, Copper,
iation Mercury, Zinc, Arsenic. Elements most
A Aerosols frequently use in pesticides are
D Dusts Carbon, Hydrogen, Oxygen, Nitrogen,
DF Dry Phosphorus, Chlorine, Sulfur.
flowable
EC Emulsifiabl
e
concentrat
e
F Flowable
G Granular/
Granule
GL Gel
LO Low odor
RTU Ready to
use
S Solution
SC Spray
concentrat
e
SP Soluble
powder
ULV Ultra low
volume
WDG Water
dispersible
granule
WP Wettable
powder
WSP Water IV. LEARNING ACTIVITIES
soluble
packet Activity 1. The Pesticide label

Materials:
- Empty pesticide labels (with
the labels intact)
- Record book
- Pencil

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 Methodology
1. Scrutinized five empty pesticide containers and note the information on its
label. Each should be represented by the different formulations and the level
of toxicity.
2. Present gathered data in tabular form.

Data to be gathered

1. Pesticide type
2. Trade name/brand name
3. Common name
4. Chemical name (active ingredient)
5. Ingredient statement
a. Active ingredient
b. Inert ingredient
6. Formulation
7. Net weight content
8. Name and address of manufacturer
9. Telephone numbers
10. Date manufactured
11. Lot or batch number
12. Pesticide control registration number
13. Hazard and warning/shape symbols
14. Color band
15. Precautionary statements
a. Protective clothing
b. Pre-harvest interval
c. Hazards to human and wild life
d. Environmental statements
e. Prohibition and warranty
f. Route of entry
g. Directions for storage and disposals
16. Directions for use
a. Target pests
b. Application/dosage rates
c. Timing of application
d. Limitations for the use of the product
e. Method of application
f. compatibility
17. signs and symptoms of the poison
18. first aid treatment
19. Physician’s information

Discussion

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 1. Discuss the importance each of the following information in the labels.
- Physicians information
- Compatibility of pesticides to other chemicals
- Storage and disposal of pesticide waste products
2. Why do pesticides come in many/different formulations?

V. FLEXIBLE TEACHING LEARNING MODALITY (FTLM)

VI. ASSESSMENT TASK

Name/course/section: __________________
Date:____________

Multiple Choices: The following are statement with choices for the correct
answer. Put the letter of the correct answer on the space provided for;

_______________1 A type of spray with high concentrated liquids applied on

fruit trees, shade trees, farm animals and structural pests.
a. Wettable or soluble powder b. Emusifiable concentrates c. Flowables d. Dust
_______________2 A type of spray with a finely dry powder form and a
wetting agent that contains high concentration of pesticides.
a. Wettable or soluble powder b. Emusifiable concentrates c. Flowables d.
Granular
_______________3 A type of spray that is made of finely ground solid particles
of insecticides suspended in a liquid.
a. Wettable or soluble powder b. Emusifiable concentrates c. Flowables d. Baits
_______________4 A type of pesticides based on use and pattern consists of
finely ground, dry mixture in combination with low concentration of pesticide
with an inert carrier such as talc, clay or volcanic ash. Most of the insecticides
and fungicides are usually in this form.
a. Granular b. Aerosol c. Dust d. Slow-release insecticides
_______________5 A type of pesticides based on use and pattern which
referred to as pressurized can “bug bombs”.
a. Granular b. Aerosol c. Dust d. Wettable powder
_______________6 A type of pesticides based on use and pattern
characterized as dry and ready-to-use, low concentrate mixture of pesticide
and inert carriers that in granular form.
a. Granular b. Aerosol c. Dust d. Soluble powder
_______________7 A type of pesticides based on use and pattern F are
pesticides in the form of poisonous gases that kill when absorbed or inhaled.
a. Slow-release insecticides b. Fumigants c. Baits d. Dust
_______________8 A type of pesticides based on use and pattern AI mixed
with edible substances. Baits are eaten by pests and cause their death.

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 a. Slow-release insecticides b. Fumigants c. Baits d. Granular
_______________9 Microencapsulated materials for agriculture, mosquito
abatement and household. AI is encased in a capsule.
a. Slow-release insecticides b. Fumigants c. Baits d. Dust
_______________10 A pesticide formulations referring to the actual chemical in
the product mixture that controls the pest.
a. Active ingredient b. adjuvants c. inert ingredients d. solvent
_______________11 Pest management comprises different control methods.
However, in some control methods it uses compounds designed primarily to
kill pest. Which of the following refers to the said compound?
a. Insecticides b. Pesticides c. Acaricides d. Miticides
_______________12 A pesticide formulation refers to any substance in a
pesticide product having no pesticidal action but may aid in the application of
the AI. Example of these are solvents, carriers and adjuvants.
a. Active ingredient b. adjuvants c. inert ingredients d. solvent
_______________13 A pesticide formulations referring to liquids that dissolve
the Active Ingredients.
a. Active ingredient b. adjuvants c. inert ingredients d. solvent
_______________14 A type of pesticide formulations that helps the pesticide
stick to the application surface.
a. Active ingredient b. adjuvants c. inert ingredients d. solvent
LD-50 Oral
Insecticide Category Color Band Toxicity
(mg/kg)
Category I (15)_______ <50 Extremely hazardous
Category II (16)________ 50 to 500 Highly hazardous
Moderately
Category III (17)________ 500 to 2000
hazardous
Category IV (18)________ Over 2000 Slightly hazardous

Fill in the blanks: Fill the blank with the appropriate answer
Identification: identify the answers from the following words to fill up the
blanks before each number.
______________ 19. A type of pesticides based on origin composed of double
carbon or with carbon element.
______________ 21. The first hormone based herbicide
______________ 22. The descriptive code of this subject.
True/false: Read and understand the statement carefully. Write WIN if the
statement is correct and LOSS if it is false
________ 23. Karate is a pyrethroid organic pesticide.
________ 24. Tamaron, Selecron, Pennant, Lorsban are non-selective
pesticides.

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 ________ 26. Broad spectrum pesticides are toxic to 1 or to some but not the
majority of the pest.
________ 28. If the pathogen does not produce elicitor molecules that are
recognized by the host, no infection occurs.
________ 32. Causal agent of Irish famine during the renaissance era is
Phytophthora infestans.
________ 33. Lead arsenate was introduce in the golden age of biology.
________ 34. Renaissance era is the era of significant and birth of science.
________ 35. The meaning of LC in measurement of toxicity on pesticides is
liquid concentration.

VII. REFERENCES

Notes consolidated from the previous general physiology and toxicology hand-
outs Mainly Authored by Mrs Lucil Faroden (2014). Department of
Entomology, College of Agriculture, Benguet State University, La Trinidad
Benguet

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