What is the main effect of using Malathion as an adulticide?

The main effect of using Malathion as an adulticide is that it causes overstimulation of nerves. Malathion is an organophosphate insecticide that works by inhibiting the activity of the enzyme acetylcholinesterase, which is crucial for breaking down the neurotransmitter acetylcholine in the synapses between nerve cells.

When Malathion blocks this enzyme's action, acetylcholine accumulates, leading to continuous stimulation of the nerves and muscles. This overstimulation ultimately results in paralysis and death of the insect. Thus, the mechanism of action aligns with the primary effect described, making overstimulation of the nervous system the correct understanding of Malathion’s role in pest control.

The other options do not accurately highlight Malathion’s effects on adult insects. For instance, promoting larval development does not apply, as Malathion is aimed at killing adult insects rather than assisting in the growth of their offspring. Inhibiting cholinesterase is related to the mechanism but does not directly capture the final outcome of nerve overstimulation. Attracting mosquitoes to breeding sites is not a function of Malathion; rather, it is an insecticide that targets existing adult populations. Thus, the focus on overstimulation of