What is a systemic pesticide?

A systemic pesticide is defined as a chemical that is absorbed by a plant or animal and transported throughout its tissues. This means that once the pesticide is applied, it enters the vascular system of the target organism and becomes distributed throughout various parts, including leaves, stems, and roots. This internal distribution allows the pesticide to effectively target pests that feed on the plant, as the pesticide is present in all parts of the organism.

In contrast, options that describe a pesticide that remains on the surface do not qualify as systemic because they do not enter the plant tissues. Non-selective herbicides, while they may kill all plants, do not inherently define a systemic action. Lastly, mentioning a pesticide that is effective only in aquatic environments disregards the broader application and mechanisms of systemic pesticides, which can be utilized in various settings, including terrestrial and aquatic environments, but are specifically defined by their action of being absorbed and transported within an organism.