What is a systemic insecticide?

A systemic insecticide refers to a type of pesticide that is absorbed by plants through their roots or leaves, allowing the chemical to circulate within the plant's tissues. This mode of action makes it particularly effective against pests that feed on the plant, as the insects are exposed to the insecticide when they consume any part of the plant, including leaves, stems, or roots. Systemic insecticides can provide longer-lasting protection compared to contact insecticides because they are part of the plant's internal system, making it difficult for pests to evade exposure.

In contrast, a pesticide applied to the ground may not necessarily indicate absorption throughout the plant and can often be a contact pesticide. Targeting surface pests specifies that the pesticide only affects organisms that come into contact with it on the outside of the plant, which excludes those that feed on tissues inside the plant. Lastly, a pesticide that works only in the air would not be classified as systemic, as it would not involve absorption by the plant but rather relies on aerial application where the pesticide must directly contact the target organism.