insecticide

Any chemical that kills insects. Loosely the term is also applied to chemicals that kill mites, nematodes, and other invertebrate pests. The substance often affects the nervous system and may be a stomach poison (see stomach insecticides). It may also act by *contact or as a *fumigant. See also botanical , chemosterilant , chlorinated hydrocarbon , dinitro compounds , organophosphorus insecticide , sulphur dust , systemic.