High School

A category of pesticides that target parasitic arachnids such as ticks and mites is called _______________.

Answer :

Final answer:

Acaricides are the category of pesticides used to control parasitic arachnids such as ticks and mites. Substances like organophosphates and pyrethroids are examples of such pesticides, each with varying degrees of toxicity and environmental persistence.

Explanation:

The category of pesticides that target parasitic arachnids such as ticks and mites is called acaricides. Arachnids include various species such as the American dog tick, mites like the twospotted spider mite, and even spiders and daddy longlegs. These creatures can sometimes pose a problem by serving as vectors for disease or damaging crops, which is when acaricides may be used to control their populations.

Certain insecticides that also function as acaricides include organophosphates like dichlorvos and malathion, and pyrethroids like permethrin. While these substances control unwanted arachnid populations, it's important to be mindful of their potential toxicity and environmental persistence when using them.