Which type of pesticides interferes with development and causes sterility in pests?

Growth regulators are a class of pesticides designed specifically to disrupt the normal development processes of insects. They work by mimicking or interfering with the hormones that control growth and maturation, leading to issues such as improper molting, reduced reproduction, and ultimately, sterility in pest populations. By targeting these developmental stages, growth regulators can effectively reduce pest numbers without affecting adult insects immediately, which can be beneficial for managing pest populations over time.

In contrast, herbicides are aimed at controlling unwanted plants and do not specifically target insects or their reproduction. Contact poisons are designed to kill pests upon direct contact but do not focus on disrupting developmental processes. Rodenticides are formulated to target rodents, causing death primarily through toxicity, rather than interfering with their reproductive capabilities. Each of the alternative options has a different mechanism and purpose compared to growth regulators, which solidifies their unique role in pest management practices.