A synthetic pesticide and insecticide used to kill harmful insects on crops and plants, belonging to the phosphorodithioate family of chemicals.
From eth- (prefix indicating sulfur-containing compounds) + -ion (suffix indicating action or state). Created in the mid-20th century as a synthetic organophosphate pesticide.
Ethion is a 'broad-spectrum' killer—it destroys many types of insects, which made it popular in agriculture, but that same power means it can harm beneficial insects and needs careful handling.
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