What type of insecticide is known to persist in plants and soil, potentially affecting pollinators?

Systemic insecticides are designed to be absorbed by plants, allowing them to be transported throughout the plant tissue. This characteristic makes them particularly effective against pests that feed on the plant, as the insecticide becomes part of the plant's structure. However, this means that systemic insecticides remain present in the plant for an extended period, leading to potential risks for non-target organisms, including pollinators, who may visit or feed on these plants.

In contrast, residual insecticides primarily remain on the surface of plants or soil, targeting pests upon contact. Contact insecticides act on pests when they physically come into contact with the chemical, but they do not persist within the plant itself. Natural insecticides, often derived from natural sources, typically break down more quickly and may not have the same level of persistence in the environment. Therefore, the nature of systemic insecticides makes them a concern for pollinator safety due to their ability to remain in plant tissue and the surrounding soil for long periods.