The role of behavior in insecticide resistance

Abstract

Although behavioral resistance remains enigmatic, an examination of the literature firmly supports the existence of behavioral resistance in both the presence and absence of the better understood and accepted physiological and biochemical mechanisms. Studies of pyrethroid resistance in the horn fly and the tobacco budworm have identified several resistance mechanisms, including behavioral adaptations, in addition to target‐site insensitivity and enhanced detoxification. The coexistence of physiological and behavioral responses neither precludes a common mechanism nor requires one. Even if a common mechanism such as knockdown resistance or enhanced detoxification is involved, this does not negate the survival benefit of either avoiding the toxicant or reducing movement to avoid exposure. Thus, behavioral resistance may be much more ubiquitous and important than previous interpretation of the literature suggests.

Spatial Heterogeneity and Insect Adaptation to Toxins

“…For selection to favor a behavioral response to a heterogeneously distributed toxin, the herbivore must be able to detect the toxin before acquiring a lethal dose. Furthermore, the larger the dose acquired during avoidance behaviors, the more these behaviors are likely to be influenced by toxic effects (108,147), and the more likely that a correlation exists between behavioral responsiveness and physiological tolerance ( Figure 1). …”

“…In managed systems, most plant protectants that have been used produce behavioral responses of some sort in at least some target herbivores (56, 108). Reviews of behavioral responses to insecticides have documented over 100 cases, despite a paucity of relevant studies compared with studies of insecticide tolerance (108,125,147). Comparable behavioral adaptations to natural plant toxins are equally numerous (15, 44).…”

Resistance Detection and Documentation: The Relative Roles of Pesticidal and Biochemical Assays

“…Although some researchers have expressed concern that residual tests leave an untreated surface from which the insect can escape exposure (Brown and Brogdon 1987), it is possible to design test containers that can be treated equally on all surfaces. An untreated surface would, however, allow the opportunity to test for some kinds of behavioral resistance (Sparks et al 1989). One disadvantage of residual assays is that the exact dose accumulated by the insect is not known (Brown and Brogdon 1987), but topical assays may also give little idea of the amount of pesticide penetrating the insect; compound may be lost via a number of routes or not absorbed (e.g., Schouest et al 1983).…”

“…Sawicki (1987) noted these problems and proposed a considerably improved definition: "Resistance (is) a genetic change in response to selection by toxicants that may impair control in the field." In addition, some researchers are calling for reexamination of possible genetic changes in behavior that may effect resistance, requiring the use of techniques not limited to strictly measuring physiological responses (Sparks et al 1989).…”

Optimizing Strategic Insecticide Resistance Management Planning in Malaria Vectors

“…Behavioural resistance involves behaviour changes in response to prolonged exposure to an insecticide resulting in avoidance and reduced contact with lethal doses of an insecticide [95].…”