Everything about Pesticide Resistance totally explained
Pesticide resistance is the
adaptation of pest species targeted by a
pesticide resulting in decreased susceptibility to that chemical. In other words, pests develop a resistance to a chemical through
artificial selection; after they're exposed to a pesticide for a prolonged period it no longer kills them as effectively. The most resistant organisms are the ones to survive and pass on their
genetic traits to their offspring.
More specific definitions of pesticide resistance often apply to particular classes of pesticides. Manufacturers of pesticides tend to prefer a definition that's dependent on failure of a product in a real situation, sometimes called
field resistance. For example, the Insecticide Resistance Action Committee (IRAC) definition of
insecticide resistance is 'a
heritable change in the sensitivity of a pest population that's reflected in the repeated failure of a product to achieve the expected level of control when used according to the label recommendation for that pest species'.
Pesticide resistance is increasing in occurrence. In the
1940s, farmers in the
USA lost 7% of their crops to pests, while since the
1980s, the percentage lost has increased to 13, even though more pesticides are being used. Other sources estimate the number to be around 1000 species since
1945.
Rachel Carson predicted the phenomenon in her 1962 book
Silent Spring. In addition, when pesticide use decreases populations of species that feed on or compete with pests, their populations expand further, requiring more pesticides.
In the US, studies have shown that fruit flies that infest orange groves were becoming resistant to malathion, a pesticide used to kill them.
In Hawaii and Japan, the diamondback moth developed a resistance to Bacillus thuringiensis about three years after it began to be used heavily.
Blowfly maggots produce an enzyme that confers resistance to organochloride insecticides. Scientists have researched ways to use this enzyme to break down pesticides in the environment, which would detoxify them and prevent harmful environmental effects. Later they discovered a similar enzyme produced by soil bacteria that also breaks down organochloride insecticides but which works faster and remains stable in a variety of conditions. Different pesticide classes may have different effects on a pest.
Another strategy is to avoid using pesticides more often than necessary.[Further Information]
Get more info on 'Pesticide Resistance'.
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