What type of insecticides are Spinosad and Azadirachtin classified as?

Spinosad and Azadirachtin are classified as natural insecticides because they are derived from natural sources. Spinosad is derived from the fermentation of a naturally occurring bacterium, Saccharopolyspora spinosa, while Azadirachtin is extracted from the seeds of the neem tree, Azadirachta indica. Both of these compounds work by disrupting the normal behavior and development of insects, making them effective in pest management.

Natural insecticides like these tend to have a different safety profile for non-target organisms compared to synthetic compounds, which are designed and manufactured in laboratories. This distinction is important for integrated pest management practices, as natural insecticides often promote the health of beneficial insects and have a lower risk of environmental contamination. Effects like reduced toxicity and environmental persistence play a critical role in their usage in sustainable agriculture and pest control strategies.