Allethrin

/ˈæləθrɪn/ noun

Definition

A synthetic insecticide similar to pyrethrin, derived from pyrethrum flowers and used to kill or repel insects in sprays and coils.

Etymology

From allylic (a chemistry term) combined with elements of pyrethrin. Created in the 1950s as a laboratory-made alternative to natural pyrethrin extracted from chrysanthemum flowers.

Kelly Says

Allethrin is humanity's chemical copycat—scientists looked at how pyrethrum flowers naturally poison insects and decided to recreate it in the lab, creating a synthetic version that's now used in mosquito coils worldwide.

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