Which of the following is synonymous with a pesticide in the context of insect management?

In the context of insect management, the term that is synonymous with a pesticide is insecticide. This is because insecticides are a specific type of pesticide that is designed to control or eliminate insect populations. Pesticides encompass a broader category of substances used to manage pests, which can include insects, weeds, fungi, and other organisms that may cause harm to crops, plants, or structures.

To clarify the context of the other terms, rodenticides are specifically formulated to target rodents, not insects. Herbicides are used to control unwanted plant growth, and plant hormones (or plant growth regulators) are substances that influence plant growth and development, but do not function as pest control agents. Therefore, in discussions about managing insect populations, insecticides are the appropriate term that denotes the correct scope of application.