On the Necessity of Controlling the Level of Insecticide Resistance in Insect Populations

Abstract

The spectacular growth of agriculture in the 20th century has been in part achieved by use of chemical insecticides. The bountiful harvest in this country is directly responsible for the high standard of living which we enjoy. With the problem of obtaining food solved for most people, we have turned our energy to developing luxury products, such as better airplanes, sportier cars, color televisions, and new wardrobes each year. Yet, all of this may be threatened by a decline in agriculture coupled with an increase in the human population. Of the many factors threatening agriculture in this country, one of the most important is the increase in resistance to insecticides by many insect populations. Insect populations have enormous reproductive potentials, which, unchecked, could lower our food supply overnight. Today, many people claim that because human populations once survived without pesticides we can do so again. True, we formerly existed without pesticides, but not at this high standard of living or with this large population. In prepesticide days, hardship and local famines were not uncommon, even in this country. These facts are not well known because historical literature concentrates on war and politics. The death of four settlers by the sword is recorded as a massacre; the death of 400 by starvation is forgotten. Thus, the average student learns little of agriculture in prepesticide days. Therefore, condemnation of pesticides is more widespread than would otherwise be the