MOLECULAR PERSPECTIVES OF INSECTICIDE RESISTANCE IN INSECTS

Until 1950s, thediscovery of the "miraculous" insecticides had provided the illusion that a noxious insect couldbe completely obliterated and therefore the "complete kill" approach was adopted by the use ofexcessive amounts of insecticides. Entomologists soon realized that such an approach was on onehand extremely damaging to the environment and on the other was leading to problems ofinsecticide resistance and practically to the abandonment of several control products. After1960s, the "complete kill" approach gave its position to the "reduction of pest impact" and thedevelopment of Integrated Pest Management (IPM). Despite this change in mentality, the twomajor problems, environmental impact and insecticide resistance, still remain to our days.However, the understanding and appreciation of resistance mechanisms at the molecular levelcan contribute to the means toward the reduction of the adverse effects of insecticides. On onehand, classical entomological practices such as less frequent applications, lower doses, use ofinsecticides with short residual activity, monitoring of pest populations, rotated application ofdifferent insecticides etc still remain extremely useful.