What is one primary method by which adulticides kill adult mosquitoes?

The primary method by which adulticides kill adult mosquitoes is through direct contact. Adulticides are chemical agents specifically designed to target and eliminate adult mosquito populations. When these chemicals are applied, they become active once they come into contact with the insect's body. This direct exposure allows the adulticide to interfere with the mosquito’s physiological functions, leading to its death.

Direct contact is a crucial aspect of the efficacy of adulticides. These substances often disrupt the nervous system functions of mosquitoes by inhibiting enzymes or receptor sites that are essential for their survival. By ensuring that the adulticide physically reaches the mosquito, it maximizes the likelihood of successful extermination.

In contrast, other methods such as sterilization and paralysis involve indirect actions that may not guarantee immediate death. While repelling can deter mosquitoes from an area, it does not eliminate them, which sets direct contact apart as the definitive way that adulticides can effectively kill adult mosquitoes.