Neonicotinoids are systemic insecticides and are water-soluble. The chemicals are absorbed by plants and transported throughout their vascular systems, infiltrating every plant part. When an herbivorous insect eats the plant, the chemicals bind to insect nicotinic receptors in their bodies, affecting their nervous system and causing paralysis and death. Physical contact with neonicotinoid sprays can also cause lethal and sublethal affects in non-target insects.