Which pests do insect growth regulators (IGRs) primarily target?

Insect growth regulators (IGRs) primarily target the developmental processes of insects. They work by mimicking hormones that regulate growth and development, thereby disrupting the normal progression of an insect's life cycle. This disruption can prevent pests from maturing into reproductive adults, stunting population growth over time.

IGRs are particularly effective against young, immature stages of insects, such as larvae, as they interfere with molting and maturation. By targeting these stages, IGRs help to control pest populations without immediately killing adult insects, which means they can serve as a long-term pest management strategy. This mechanism contributes significantly to the sustainability of pest control efforts.

Other choices may address aspects of pest control, but they do not apply to the specific functioning of insect growth regulators. For example, while some pesticides do kill adult insects quickly, that is not the action of IGRs, which focus on growth disruption rather than immediate lethality. Similarly, attracting beneficial insects or enhancing pest population growth does not align with the primary function of IGRs.