What type of pesticide targets only specific pests without harming others?

Selective pesticides are designed to target only specific types of pests while leaving non-target organisms unharmed. This characteristic makes them valuable in integrated pest management strategies, as they can minimize disruption to beneficial insects, other wildlife, and the overall ecosystem. For instance, a selective pesticide might be effective against a particular species of insect but has little to no impact on other insects that are essential for pollination or pest control.

Broad-spectrum pesticides, in contrast, affect a wide range of pests and may also harm beneficial organisms, which can lead to ecological imbalances. Biopesticides utilize natural mechanisms to control pests but are not categorized based solely on their specificity. Systemic pesticides are absorbed by plants and can impact a variety of pests that come into contact with or feed on those plants, which does not align with targeting only specific pests. Hence, selective pesticides stand out for their focused approach to pest management.