Behavior as a mechanism of insecticide resistance: evaluation of the evidence

• Published in: Current opinion in insect science Vol. 21; pp. 19 - 25
• Main Authors: Zalucki, MP, Furlong, MJ
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier Inc 01.06.2017
• Subjects: Animals; Behavior, Animal; Insecta - genetics; Insecta - physiology; Insecticide Resistance - genetics; Insecticide Resistance - physiology; Insecticides - pharmacology; Sensory Receptor Cells - drug effects
• ISSN: 2214-5745; 2214-5753; 2214-5745
• DOI: 10.1016/j.cois.2017.05.006

•Behavioral resistance is often claimed but rarely supported upon close scrutiny.•Most cases represent some form of general behavioral avoidance to the insecticide formulation or aversion response to its effects not a de novo selected response.•The best examples of behavioral resistance show a change in receptor responses that are under genetic control and have been selected similar to classic insecticide resistance. ‘Behavioral resistance’ must be defined in a manner consistent with other mechanisms of resistance and be based on heritable changes. Most claimed cases of behavioral resistance to insecticides are simply aversion behaviors either learned or based on simple repellency or avoidance. Although studies have shown changes in taste/odour receptors (e.g., cockroaches), unequivocal demonstration of behavioral resistance to insecticides is rare. The fundamental problems are: 1. Inferring resistance from observations, with little evidence of ‘normal’ behavior prior to exposure to insecticides. 2. Interpreting behaviors as insecticide resistance with no evidence that either resistance is detectable or testing the hypothesis that it is responsible. We suggest a way forward that may not be that novel but would advance our understanding and the field.