Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of systemic pesticides?

Systemic pesticides are characterized by their ability to be absorbed by plants or animals and then translocated throughout their systems, reaching various tissues, including roots, stems, and leaves. This unique property enables these pesticides to affect both pests that feed on the plant and those that reside within the plant structures.

The characteristic identified as having a short residual effect does not align with the typical nature of systemic pesticides. In fact, many systemic pesticides can have a prolonged effect, depending on their chemical structure, mode of action, and environmental conditions, allowing them to remain effective over a longer period after application. Thus, the potential for long-lasting control against pests is a significant advantage of systemic treatments.

Another important aspect of systemic pesticides is their effectiveness against both surface and subsurface pests due to the way they move within the organism after absorption. This contrasts with non-systemic pesticides, which primarily affect pests that come into direct contact with the treated surfaces.