Insecticide resistance in Australian field crops: trends, drivers and opportunities for change

Publication date: 28-04-2026
Extent: 42 pages

Contributions by: Lisa J. Bird, Tamworth Agricultural Institute, Australia; Kym D. Perry, The University of Adelaide, Australia; Jamie E. Hopkinson, Department of Primary Industries (Queensland), Australia; and Paul A. Umina, The University of Melbourne, Australia

Chapter synopsis:

Continued reliance on pesticides to achieve yield outcomes places strong selection pressure on pest populations which favours the evolution of traits that enhance survival to pesticides. Like many other countries, Australian agriculture is experiencing a continuing escalation in the prevalence and distribution of pesticide resistant arthropod species, further limiting the range of chemical options available to manage several key pests. This chapter explores the many complex factors that contribute to the current trends in pesticide use and the evolutionary processes that increase the risk of resistance development in arthropod species in Australian field crops. It reviews the status and key drivers of pesticide resistance in Australian field crops, highlights cases of strategic management, and explores opportunities for addressing current and future resistance challenges.

DOI: 10.19103/AS.2025.0163.32