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Getting to Know Popular Insecticides Used in Iowa Field Crops

Encyclopedia Article

Agriculture plays a major role in Iowa’s economy, with 72% of Iowa’s area (26 million acres) used for crops and rotational pastures. It is no surprise that crop protection is of the utmost importance. In 2018, Iowa farmers applied nearly 560,000 pounds of insecticide (USDA-NASS 2019). Most of the compounds used can be grouped into three insecticidal groups: pyrethroids, organophosphates, and neonicotinoids (USDA-NASS 2018, 2019; IRAC 2019). These three groups consist of a large number of compounds known to be toxic to insects by targeting their nervous system.

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