What type of agricultural chemical is primarily used to control insects?

Insecticides are the specific type of agricultural chemicals designed to target and control insect pests. They are formulated to effectively eliminate or manage insect populations that threaten crops and livestock. Insecticides can disrupt various functions in insects, such as their nervous system or reproductive capabilities, thereby reducing their numbers and minimizing damage to agricultural production.

While fungicides are used to manage fungal pathogens and herbicides are designed to control undesired plants or weeds, both serve different purposes within agricultural pest management. Pesticides, which encompass a broader category, include insecticides, fungicides, herbicides, and other substances that target pests across different classifications. Thus, insecticides are the precise answer for controlling insects, as they are specially formulated for that specific role.