What type of inhibitor kills immature insects by interfering with their growth and molting?

The correct answer is a chitin synthesis inhibitor. Chitin synthesis inhibitors specifically target the process of chitin formation, which is a crucial component of the exoskeleton in insects. By interfering with the synthesis of chitin, these inhibitors prevent immature insects from effectively developing their exoskeleton during molting. As a result, the insects are unable to complete their growth cycle, leading to their eventual death.

Growth regulators also play a role in inhibiting insect development, but they often function by mimicking hormones involved in growth and maturation, influencing the timing of molts rather than directly disrupting the physical structure of the exoskeleton. While neurotoxins affect the nervous system of insects, leading to paralysis or death, they do not specifically target growth and molting processes. Cytokinins, on the other hand, are primarily plant hormones that promote cell division and are not directly involved in the insect growth inhibition process. Therefore, chitin synthesis inhibitors are the specific agents known for targeting immature insects by disrupting their growth and molting processes.