Which organisms are referred to as "non-target species" concerning pesticides?

Non-target species in the context of pesticide application refers to organisms that are not the intended targets of the pesticide. The primary goal when applying a pesticide is often to control specific pests, whether they are insects, weeds, or pathogens. While pesticides are designed to eliminate or manage these target pests, the term "non-target species" encompasses any other organisms that may be affected by the application, even though they are not the focus.

This definition includes a wide array of species, such as birds, beneficial insects, aquatic life, and plants that are not pests but may still come into contact with the pesticide. Understanding non-target species is crucial because the impact of pesticide usage can have broader ecological consequences, affecting biodiversity and potentially harming populations that are beneficial to agriculture and the environment.

The other options refer to specific types of organisms; for instance, beneficial insects do fall under the umbrella of non-target species but are not a complete definition. Similarly, plants adversely affected are indeed impacted but do not encompass the broader range of affected organisms as stated in the correct answer.