Editing Pesticide (section)

=== Classifications ===
Pesticides can be classified by target [[organism]] (e.g., [[herbicide]]s, [[insecticide]]s, [[fungicide]]s, [[rodenticide]]s, and [[pediculicide]]s – see table),<ref>{{Cite web |title=Types of pesticides |url=http://npic.orst.edu/ingred/ptype/index.html |access-date=January 4, 2024 |website=National Pesticide Information Center}}</ref>

[[Biopesticide]]s according to the [[United States Environmental Protection Agency|EPA]] include microbial pesticides, biochemical pesticides, and plant-incorporated protectants.<ref name=":11">{{Cite web |url=https://www.epa.gov/ingredients-used-pesticide-products/types-pesticide-ingredients |title=Types of Pesticide Ingredients |date=Jan 3, 2017 |website=US Environmental Protection Agency |language=en |access-date=Dec 1, 2018}}</ref>

Pesticides can be classified into structural classes, with many structural classes developed for each of the target organisms listed in the table. A structural class is usually associated with a single [[mode of action]], whereas a mode of action may encompass more than one structural class.

The pesticidal chemical ([[active ingredient]]) is mixed ([[Pesticide formulation|formulated]]) with other components to form the product that is sold, and which is [[Pesticide application|applied]] in various ways. Pesticides in gas form are [[Fumigation|fumigants]].

Pesticides can be classified based upon their [[mode of action]], which indicates the exact biological mechanism which the pesticide disrupts. The modes of action are important for [[Pesticide resistance|resistance]] management, and are categorized and administered by the [[Insecticide Resistance Action Committee|insecticide]], [[Herbicide Resistance Action Committee|herbicide]], and [[Fungicide Resistance Action Committee|fungicide]] resistance action committees.

Pesticides may be systemic or non-systemic.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Zhang |first1=Yu |last2=Lorsbach |first2=Beth A. |last3=Castetter |first3=Scott |last4=Lambert |first4=William T. |last5=Kister |first5=Jeremy |last6=Wang |first6=Nick X. |last7=Klittich |first7=Carla J. R. |last8=Roth |first8=Joshua |last9=Sparks |first9=Thomas C. |last10=Loso |first10=Mike R. |date=2018 |title=Physicochemical property guidelines for modern agrochemicals |doi=10.1002/ps.5037 |journal=Pest Management Science |volume=74 |issue=9 |pages=1979–1991|pmid=29667318 |s2cid=4937939 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last=Hofstetter |first=Sandro |date=2018 |title=How To Design for a Tailored Subcellular Distribution of Systemic Agrochemicals in Plant Tissues |doi=10.1021/acs.jafc.8b02221 |journal=J. Agric. Food Chem. |volume=66 |issue=33 |pages=8687–8697|pmid=30024749 |bibcode=2018JAFC...66.8687H |s2cid=261974999 |url=https://backend.orbit.dtu.dk/ws/files/167227061/Rev_Hofstetter_et_al_intracellular_localization_of_agrochemicals.pdf }}</ref> A systemic pesticide moves (translocates) inside the plant. Translocation may be upward in the [[xylem]], or downward in the [[phloem]] or both. Non-systemic pesticides (contact pesticides) remain on the surface and act through direct contact with the target organism. Pesticides are more effective if they are systemic. Systemicity is a prerequisite for the pesticide to be used as a seed-treatment.

Pesticides can be classified as [[Persistent organic pollutant|persistent]] (non-biodegradable) or non-persistent ([[Biodegradation|biodegradable]]). A pesticide must be persistent enough to kill or control its target but must degrade fast enough not to accumulate in the [[Environmental impact of pesticides|environment]] or the [[Biomagnification|food chain]] in order to be approved by the authorities.<ref name=":7" /><ref name=":8" /> Persistent pesticides, including [[DDT]], were [[Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants|banned many years ago]], an exception being spraying in houses to combat [[malaria]] [[Vector control|vectors]].<ref name=":9">{{cite web |date=September 16, 2006 |title=WHO urges DDT for malaria control Strategies |url=http://www.commondreams.org/headlines06/0916-05.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061017195527/http://www.commondreams.org/headlines06/0916-05.htm |archive-date=October 17, 2006 |access-date=September 15, 2007 |website=Common Dreams News Center |publisher=Inter Press Service |vauthors=Lobe J}}</ref>