Pyrethrum and Persian Insect Powder

There are numerous examples of plant natural products with interesting agrochemical properties; however, few plant products have had a major role in the development of commercial insecticides. The most important and significant actual application of a plant natural product is pyrethrum or Persian Insect Powder. This powder also has been known as Dalmatian and Japanese powders, or Buhach. The latter powder was produced by the Buhach Producing and Manufacturing Company in California, USA, starting in 1876 from the seeds of Dalmatian pyrethrum.

Pyrethrum powders are made from the dried flowers of several Chrysanthemum of the family Compositae. The Persian Insect Powder, obtained from the dried flowers of Persian pyrethrum (Chrysanthemum coccineum Willd.), is easily distinguished from those of the Dalmatian pyrethrum (C. cinerariaefoliumVis.) by the purple color of the ray florets. As a result, the Persian Insect Powder is darker in color than the Dalmatian Powder. The plants yielding...