MDARD Michigan Core Pesticide Applicator Practice Exam

The active ingredient in Tempo20WP is listed as β-Cyfluthrin. What does the term "Cyfluthrin" represent?

1. The common name

2. The trade name

3. The chemical formula

4. The inert ingredient

The correct answer is: The common name

The term "Cyfluthrin" represents the common name of the pesticide active ingredient. In pesticide terminology, common names are standardized designations that help identify chemical substances more easily compared to their often complex chemical names or formulations. They are widely accepted within the scientific and regulatory communities to facilitate communication regarding the safety, usage, and regulatory aspects of these chemicals. In this case, β-Cyfluthrin is a specific type of Cyfluthrin, and it falls under the broader category of this common name. The trade name, on the other hand, would refer to the branded product name as marketed (such as Tempo), while the chemical formula would provide the structural representation of the molecule, and the inert ingredients would refer to components of the formulation that do not contribute to the pesticidal effect. Common names like Cyfluthrin serve to simplify references and discussions surrounding different pesticide products that contain the same active ingredient.