Which quality describes a pesticide's ability to affect only the target pest and minimize harm to non-target organisms?

• A. Mobility
• B. Residual activity
• C. Selectivity
• D. Broad-spectrum activity

Answer: (C)

Selectivity is the pesticide’s ability to affect only the target pest while sparing most non-target organisms. This means you can control the pest without harming beneficial insects, pollinators, wildlife, or crops, which is essential for sustainable pest management. For example, Bt products are selective for certain caterpillars and have relatively low impact on other insects and animals. By contrast, non-selective or broad-spectrum products kill a wide range of organisms and can disrupt natural enemies and ecosystems. Mobility and residual activity describe where the chemical goes and how long it lasts, not how specific it is to the target.