What distinguishes a pesticide from a herbicide?

The distinction of a pesticide targeting a broad range of pests is correct because the term "pesticide" encompasses a variety of substances designed to control, deter, or eliminate pests, which can include insects, weeds, fungi, and other organisms. This broad categorization allows for the use of pesticides in various contexts and against different types of pests.

Herbicides, on the other hand, are a specific subgroup of pesticides that are exclusively designed to control or kill plants, particularly unwanted weeds. Therefore, the defining characteristic of pesticides as a category is their application across multiple classes of pests, including but not limited to insects, rather than focusing solely on a single type of organism like herbicides do with plants. This understanding helps clarify the comprehensive nature of pesticides as opposed to the more specialized role of herbicides in pest control.