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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Stoneville, Mississippi » Southern Insect Management Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #421716
Research Project: Insect Control and Resistance Management in Corn, Cotton, Sorghum, Soybean, and Sweet Potato, and Alternative Approaches to Tarnished Plant Bug Control in the Southern United States

Location: Southern Insect Management Research

Title: Insecticide resistance in North America

Author
item Allen, Kerry
item Elkins, Blake

Submitted to: Global Trends in Pesticide Resistance
Publication Type: Book / Chapter
Publication Acceptance Date: 2/4/2025
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary: Insecticides have been a major means of controlling insect pest populations in agricultural crops in North America, especially since WWII. The ability to act quickly against damaging populations of insects has enabled farmers to reduce yield loss and reduce some of the risks associated with insect feeding. A negative consequence of these applications has been the development of insecticide resistance in targeted insect pests. Resistance has been an issue in North America for over 100 years. Insecticide use has fluctuated over time, but modern chemistries and genetically modified crops have contributed to a reduction in overall insecticide use in some areas. Practices have been implemented to reduce and slow down the rate of resistance development. These resistance management practices have shown some ability to increase the useful life of some insecticides, but there has been no indication that the development of resistance will stop, even with advanced technology and 50-plus years of resistance management practices.

Technical Abstract: Historically, the control of insect pests has largely been dependent on synthetic insecticides. The increased effectiveness of insecticides developed after WWII resulted in wide-scale applications on agricultural crops. A negative consequence of these applications was the development of resistance in targeted pests. Resistance has been an issue in North America for over 100 years. Insecticide use has fluctuated over time, but modern chemistries and genetically modified crops have contributed to a reduction in overall synthetic insecticide use in some areas. Resistance to insecticides continues to be a concern for agricultural production across North America. Resistance management has shown some ability to increase the helpful life and longevity of insecticide active ingredients, but there has been no indication that the development of resistance will stop, even with advanced technology and 50-plus years of resistance management practices. Because of this, the trends that we have been seeing since the implantation of Bt will likely continue until the development of new chemistries and modes of action.