Global Pesticide Resistance in Arthropods

Abstract

Pesticide resistance within the order Arthropoda has been a subject of interest in the entomological sciences and among pest management professionals since A.L. Melander first asked the question, ‘Can insects become resistant to sprays?’ (Melander, 1914). He had observed high populations of the San Jose scale Quadraspidiotus perniciosus (Comstock), in lime sulphur-treated deciduous fruit. Following this report, published cases of resistance grew in frequency, probably reaching a high point in the late 1970s and early 1980s when many arthropod toxicologists, economic entomologists and evolutionary biologists busily reported cases, underlying mechanisms and the genetics of resistance. This trend has continued into the 21st century and has been reported in the online publication Arthropod Pesticide Resistance Database, the APRD (http://www.pesticideresistance.com), since the early 1990s.