What factor is essential in selecting a pesticide for aerial application?

Selecting a pesticide for aerial application is primarily driven by its effectiveness against the target pests. Aerial application is often used for large-scale pest management, and the pesticides selected must ensure they are potent enough to control or eliminate the specific pests present in the area. The success of an aerial application largely depends on how well the chosen pesticide works on the identified target, meaning it must be specifically formulated or registered for use against those pests to achieve desired results.

Other factors, while they might have their place in considerations for pesticide selection, are secondary. The color and smell of a pesticide, while they can affect handling and application perceptions, do not determine its efficacy. Similarly, formulation richness might refer to the concentration or the complexity of the active ingredients, but it does not guarantee effectiveness against the pests at hand. Brand popularity might influence a user's choice based on trust or marketing but is not a measure of how well a pesticide will perform in the field. Thus, the main criterion in this context is ensuring the pesticide's proven effectiveness against the target pests to ensure successful management of pest populations during aerial applications.