California Agriculture

Synthetic pyrethroids and neonicotinoids are the most readily available alternatives to the organophosphate and carbamate insecticides. Pyrethroids have become widely used in California, and problems with insecticide resistance and nontarget impacts have already been identified. Neonicotinoids are a new class of insecticide with uses only now being realized. Managing insecticide resistance will be crucial to preserving these new materials as organophosphate uses are lost.