Question

The glycosidic insecticide extracted from red onion is ______.

• A. Acetamiprid
• B. Scilliroside
• C. Mirexin
• D. Bifenthrin

Hint:

Scilliroside is a selective organic rodenticide and insecticide extracted from the bulbs of the red squill plant.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
Certain botanical compounds function as natural defense mechanisms against pests and can be extracted for use as organic pesticides or rodenticides.

Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
Scilliroside is a toxic cardenolide glycoside extracted from the bulbs of the red squill plant (*Drimia maritima*, formerly known as *Urginea maritima*), which is historically referred to as "red onion of the sea" or simply "red onion" in traditional botanical contexts.
It is highly toxic to rodents and insects but relatively safe for other animals because it induces vomiting, which rodents cannot do.
Acetamiprid and bifenthrin are synthetic pyrethroid/neonicotinoid insecticides, and mirexin is synthetic, leaving scilliroside as the natural glycosidic option.

Step 3: Final Answer:
The natural glycosidic compound used as an insecticide is scilliroside.