Insecticide Resistance in Agricultural Pests: Mechanisms, Case Studies, and Future Directions
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.32792/utq/utjsci/v12i1.1381Keywords:
insecticide resistance, agricultural pests, integrated pest management, CRISPR, RNA interference.Abstract
Pesticide resistance is an escalating global challenge that threatens agricultural productivity, food security, and the sustainability of pest control methods. Over 600 insect species have developed resistance, compromising the effectiveness of chemical controls and exacerbating pest outbreaks. Species such as Helicoverpa armigera and Bemisia tabaci serve as prominent examples of pests displaying this growing resistance problem. This study aims to explore the underlying mechanisms of pesticide resistance in key agricultural pests, identify the major contributing factors, assess the effectiveness of current management strategies, and examine potential future tools and technologies for combating resistance. The study integrates data from global case studies, specifically focusing on Helicoverpa armigera in India and Bemisia tabaci in China. It also synthesizes information on various resistance mechanisms, including metabolic, target-site, penetration, and behavioral processes. Several resistance management strategies, such as pesticide rotation, integrated pest management (IPM), and refuge policies, are evaluated for their effectiveness. Metabolic and target-site resistance mechanisms are particularly prevalent in resistant insect populations. Contributing factors include overuse of single pesticide classes, sub-lethal dosages, inadequate treatment regimens, and monoculture farming. IPM and pesticide rotation employing different modes of action are among the most effective current strategies. Emerging technologies RNA interference (RNAi) and CRISPR gene editing , offer promising new approaches. Addressing pesticide resistance requires a comprehensive, multi-faceted strategy that incorporates genetic tools, real-time monitoring, biopesticide development, and stronger regulatory frameworks. International cooperation, farmer education, and scientifically informed policies will be critical to future success.
Received: 2025-04-27
Revised: 2025-06-03
Accepted: 2025-06-29
References
[1] Insecticide Resistance Action Committee (IRAC), “IRAC Mode of Action Classification,” 2023. [Online]. Available: https://irac-online.org
[2] R. J. Onstad, Insect Resistance Management: Biology, Economics, and Prediction, 2nd ed. Academic Press, 2017.
[3] S. Shudeer et al., “Emerging pesticide resistance in global agriculture,” Journal of Pest Management, vol. 45, no. 2, pp. 133–145, 2019.
[4] S. Shudeer et al., “Genetic control of resistance mechanisms in insect populations,” Frontiers in Agricultural Genomics, vol. 11, pp. 88–101, 2024.
[5] F. Zhu et al., “RNA interference of NADPH–cytochrome P450 reductase results in reduced insecticide resistance in the bed bug, Cimex lectularius,” PLoS ONE, vol. 9, no. 2, e89102, 2014. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0089102.
[6] H. Zhou, “Mechanisms of insecticide resistance in insects,” Annual Review of Entomology, vol. 53, pp. 467–493, 2008.
[7] H. Khan et al., “Enzyme-based mechanisms of insecticide resistance in agricultural pests,” Pesticide Biochemistry and Physiology, vol. 170, pp. 104–111, 2020.
[8] F. Li et al., “Molecular basis of insecticide resistance and detoxification pathways in agricultural pests,” Insect Molecular Biology, vol. 31, no. 1, pp. 12–25, 2022.
[9] D. Foster et al., “Monoculture and its impacts on insect resistance dynamics,” Agricultural Systems, vol. 172, pp. 104–115, 2019.
[10] K. Kiritani, “Insect pest management in Asia: Lessons from Bt cotton in India,” Entomological Research, vol. 50, no. 1, pp. 1–9, 2020.
[11] X. Wang et al., “Resistance of Bemisia tabaci to neonicotinoids in China,” Pest Management Science, vol. 74, no. 12, pp. 2895–2902, 2018. doi: 10.1002/ps.5113.
[12] J. Denholm, “The role of monitoring in managing pesticide resistance,” Crop Protection, vol. 9, no. 4, pp. 229–234, 1990.
[13] M. Smith and A. Johnson, “The role of policy in resistance management,” Journal of Environmental Policy and Planning, vol. 23, no. 4, pp. 455–468, 2021.
[14] P. Umina et al., “High levels of resistance in Helicoverpa armigera due to continued chemical exposure,” Pest Management Science, vol. 75, no. 7, pp. 1711–1718, 2019. doi: 10.1002/ps.5296.
[15] E. Cloyd, “Integrated pest management in temperate agroecosystems,” Journal of Agricultural Ecology, vol. 33, no. 2, pp. 120–130, 2010.
[16] R. Carvalho et al., “Pesticide exposure and resistance evolution under sub-lethal conditions,” Toxicology Reports, vol. 2, pp. 1307–1315, 2015. doi: 10.1016/j.toxrep.2015.09.006.
[17] C. Yoon, “Ecological implications of monoculture cropping,” Ecological Perspectives, vol. 8, no. 3, pp. 221–230, 1983.
[18] R. Slater et al., “Modeling insecticide resistance in Meligethes aeneus using rotation strategies,” Pest Management Science, vol. 73, no. 7, pp. 1422–1432, 2017. doi: 10.1002/ps.4500.
[19] Y. Chen et al., “Resistance evolution in Diaphorina citri under insecticide pressure,” Journal of Economic Entomology, vol. 113, no. 1, pp. 157–164, 2020. doi: 10.1093/jee/toz257.
[20] A. Madgwick and A. Kanitz, “Adaptive dynamics in pesticide resistance,” Applied Ecology and Environmental Research, vol. 22, no. 1, pp. 41–58, 2024.
[21] S. Kumari et al., “AI and drone technologies in precision agriculture,” Computers and Electronics in Agriculture, vol. 212, pp. 108103, 2024. doi: 10.1016/j.compag.2023.108103.
Downloads
Published
License
Copyright (c) 2025 University of Thi-Qar Journal of Science

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.