What type of organisms are primarily affected by neonicotinoids?

Neonicotinoids are a class of insecticides that primarily target the nervous system of insects. They function by binding to nicotinic acetylcholine receptors in insects, which leads to paralysis and eventually death. This action is specifically designed to control harmful insect pests that damage crops, making them effective tools in agricultural pest management.

While neonicotinoids may also have some indirect effects on beneficial organisms or the environment, they are engineered to be highly effective against insect pests. As such, this characteristic makes them particularly useful in protecting various crops from insect infestations.