Pyrethrin refers to a group of six naturally occurring insecticidal esters (pyrethrins I and II, cinerin I and II, jasmolin I and II) extracted from the dried flower heads of Chrysanthemum cinerariifolium (Dalmatian chrysanthemum). Extraction uses solvent-based methods (hexane or supercritical CO2) to obtain pyrethrum oleoresin, which is then refined and standardized. Pyrethrins act as neurotoxins to insects by disrupting sodium channel function, causing rapid knockdown and paralysis.
They are biodegradable and have low mammalian toxicity. This makes them preferred for organic farming. Commercially, pyrethrin is used in organic agricultural pest control, household insecticides, veterinary flea products, and grain storage protection.