Pyrethrum

Pyrethrum (Chrysanthemum cinerariaefolium, Family Asteraceae) is a perennial plant with a daisy-like appearance and white petals. It is also known as Dalmatian Chrysanthemum and originated in Eastern Europe.

The plant is economically important as a natural source of insecticide. The flowers are pulverized and the active components called pyrethrins, contained in the seed cases, are extracted and sold in the form of an oleoresin. This is applied as a suspension in water or oil, or as a powder. Pyrethrins attack the nervous systems of all insects, and inhibit female mosquitoes from biting. When not present in amounts fatal to insects, they still appear to have an insect repellent effect. They are harmful to fish, but are far less toxic to mammals and birds than many synthetic insecticides and are non-persistent, being biodegradable and also breaking down easily on exposure to light. They are considered to be amongst the safest insecticides for use around food.

Kenya produced 90% (over 6,000 tonnes) of the world's pyrethrum in 1998, but production in Tanzania is now increasing.

Pyrethroids are synthetic insecticides based on natural pyrethrum: an example of one is permethrin. A common formulation of pyrethrin is in preparations containing the synthetic chemical piperonyl butoxide: this has the effect of enhancing the toxicity to insects and speeding the effects when compared with pyrethrins used alone. These formulations are known as synergized pyrethrins.

Commercial products

* Raid is a brand name of a popular insecticide made of pyrethrins and piperonyl butoxide.