insecticide carbamate insecticide Derivatives of carbamic acid with insecticidal properties of general formula ROC(=O)NR<small>^1</small>R<small>^2</small>, where ROH is an alcohol, oxime, or phenol and R<small>^1</small> is hydrogen or methyl. Like organophosphate insecticides, they are cholinesterase inhibitors, but carbamate insecticides differ in action from the organophosphates in that the inhibitory effect on cholinesterase is generally brief. CHEBI:38461 EC 3.1.1.7 (acetylcholinesterase) inhibitor