Dimethoate is a widely used organophosphate insecticide used to kill insects on contact. It was patented and introduced in the 1950s by American Cyanamid. Like other organophosphates, dimethoate is an anticholinesterase which disables cholinesterase, an enzyme essential for central nervous system function.

Appearance:Grey-white crystalline solid
Density:1.3 g/cm³, solid
Melting point:43–45 °C (316–318 K)
Boiling point:117 °C (390 K) at 10 Pa
Solubility in water:2.5 g/100 ml
Flash point:107 °C
chemical class: organophosphate

Dimethoate is a widely used organophosphate insecticide used to kill insects . It was patented and introduced in the 1950s by American Cyanamid.
In 1993, dimethoate applications to orchard crops in the US accounted for 35% of the total active ingredient used in agricultural applications, totaling approximately 725,000 pounds (329,000 kg). Applications made to 10 crops accounted for more than 80% of the total dimethoate applied in the US during 1993. These crops included cotton (17.1%), alfalfa (15.4%), oranges (7.7%), wheat (7.0%), apples (6.9%), grapefruit (6.9%), lemons (6.4%), peas/beans (5.68%), lettuce (3.9%) and field maize (3.1%). 
    In the UK, dimethoate use in 1998 was 377,030 spray hectares on arable crops, an increase from 291,578 treated hectares in 1996. It is mostly used against aphids on wheat (322,883 spray hectares in 1998), making it the second most widely used insecticide in wheat (accounting for 14% of all insecticides used), and the 23rd most widely used active substance in UK agriculture in 1998(16). 

Dimethoate is used in a large number of products. against a wide range of insects, including aphids, apples,thrips,corn,  cotton, planthoppers, and whiteflies on ornamental plants, alfalfa,  grapefruit, grapes, lemons, wheat,oranges, pears, pecans, safflower, sorghum, soybeans, tangerines, tobacco, tomatoes, watermelons,  and other vegetables.

Highly toxic
Acute toxicity:Dimethoate is moderately toxic by inhalation,  ingestion, and dermal absorption.
Chronic toxicity;Reproductive effects;Teratogenic effects;Mutagenic ffects;Carcinogenic effects;Organ toxicity.