Associate Certified Entomologist (ACE) Practice Exam

What is the best-known example of a spinosyn?

1. Spinosad

2. Thiamethoxam

3. Permethrin

4. Acetamiprid

The correct answer is: Spinosad

The best-known example of a spinosyn is Spinosad. Spinosyns are a class of insecticides derived from a natural fermentation product of the bacterium Saccharopolyspora spinosa. Spinosad has gained prominence in pest management due to its unique mode of action, which affects the nervous system of insects, leading to paralysis and death. Its effectiveness against a wide range of pests, along with a favorable environmental profile, makes it a popular choice among pest control products. The other choices listed represent different classes of insecticides. Thiamethoxam is a neonicotinoid, which acts on the nicotinic acetylcholine receptors in insects. Permethrin is a synthetic pyrethroid that disrupts the normal functioning of neuronal sodium channels. Acetamiprid, like thiamethoxam, is also a neonicotinoid, affecting the nervous system of insects in a different manner from spinosad. Each of these alternatives plays distinct roles in pest management, but they do not fall under the spinosyn category. Therefore, Spinosad stands out specifically as the representative example of a spinosyn.