A substance or method used to kill adult insects, especially adult mosquitoes in pest control programs.
From Latin 'adultus' (adult) combined with '-cide' (from 'caedere,' to kill). A specialized term in entomology and public health created in the 20th century.
During mosquito-borne disease outbreaks like Zika, public health officials choose between spraying adulticide (fast but temporary) versus targeting larvae (slower but longer-lasting). Different strategies win in different situations.
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