What is the opposite of a broad spectrum insecticide?

A narrow spectrum insecticide is specifically designed to target a limited range of pest species, differentiating it from a broad spectrum insecticide, which is effective against a wide variety of insects. The primary purpose of narrow spectrum insecticides is to minimize impact on non-target organisms, including beneficial insects, wildlife, and humans. This specificity can make them a preferable option in integrated pest management strategies, where the goal is to control pests carefully without disrupting the ecosystem.

In contrast, systemic insecticides act throughout the entire plant, making them particularly effective against sap-sucking insects but not necessarily defined by the range of species they can target. Contact insecticides eliminate pests on contact but do not categorize them based on their breadth of effectiveness. Repellant insecticides serve to deter pests rather than kill them and do not align with the concept of broad versus narrow spectrum targeting. Thus, the concept of spectrum in this context is most accurately captured by the distinction between broad and narrow spectrum insecticides.