Pyrethrum Flowers: Production, Chemistry, Toxicology and Uses

Pyrethrum is the most important natural botanical pesticide. Pyrethrins are effective against virtually all insect pests, yet are of very low toxicity to mammals, and break down quickly on exposure to light and air. This study of the place of pyrethrum in ecology and pest management includes discussion of the new synthetic pyrethroids that have been developed, in addition to continuing work on natural product pyrethrins.