A systemic insecticide, acaricide and nematocide used against chewing and sucking insects — aphids, whitefly, leaf miners and soil-dwelling pests — in fruit and vegetable crops, classified by WHO as extremely hazardous (Class Ia). Its acute toxicity produced infamous poisoning outbreaks from contaminated watermelons and cucumbers when misapplied, with a dose-response so steep that small errors proved fatal. Severe restrictions and cancellations followed in many countries. Aldicarb remains the cautionary extreme of pesticide hazard: chemistry effective against pests but unforgiving of any lapse near food crops.