Which type of organisms are often considered non-target in pesticide applications?

Beneficial insects are often considered non-target organisms in pesticide applications because they play crucial roles in the ecosystem, including pollination, pest control, and soil health. While pesticides are intended to target specific pests, beneficial insects can be unintentionally harmed during the application process. These non-target organisms are vital for maintaining ecological balance and can be negatively affected by pesticides, leading to broader environmental issues such as reduced biodiversity and the disruption of natural pest management systems.

In contrast to beneficial insects, target weeds are the specific plants that pesticide applications are designed to control, so they are not considered non-target organisms. Soil microorganisms, while important, may fall into a gray area depending on the pesticide type and its impact. However, the most clear-cut example of non-target organisms in these scenarios is indeed beneficial insects. All insects cannot be classified as non-targets, as this group includes both target pests and beneficial species.