Insecticide And Acaricide Resistance

. Gregor J. Devine, Plant and Invertebrate Ecology Division, Rothamsted Research, Harpenden, Hertfordshire, AL5 2JQ, England, UK
E-mail: greg.devine@bbsrc.ac.uk

Abstract

Insecticide resistance is an example of a dynamic evolutionary process in which chance mutations conferring protection against insecticides are selected for in treated populations. Since the 1940s, synthetic insecticides have been used on an increasing scale to control the insects and mites that cause immense crop losses and pose major threats to public and animal health. However, because many of the target species have evolved resistance, some of these chemical control programs are failing. At the current time, more than 500 arthropod species have evolved resistance to at least one pesticide, and a few populations of some of those species are now resistant to all, or almost all, of the available products. This article will review the diagnosis and mechanisms of resistance, and their extent across species and chemical groups. It will also review the genetic, ecological and operational factors that affect the rate at which resistance develops. Finally, it will examine how best to combat resistance and will consider some recent success stories in the continuing battle between insect evolution and human ingenuity