Trends in insecticide resistance in Sub-Saharan Africa

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

Contributions by: Inusa J. Ajene, Samantha W. Karanu and Fathiya M. Khamis, International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe), Kenya

Chapter synopsis:

Insecticides have been central to the management of insect pests of agricultural significance and vectors of diseases in Sub-Saharan Africa. However, development of resistance in key insect species to various classes of insecticides threatens the sustainability of insecticide use in pest management strategies, and the overuse and misuse of insecticides ultimately leads to harmful effects on humans, animals and environment. Pest and vector management in Sub-Saharan Africa has typically involved insecticides belonging to the carbamate, organochlorine, organophosphate, and pyrethroid classes to manage agricultural pests and disease vectors such as the aphids, fall armyworm, leaf miners, whiteflies, mosquitoes and sandflies. However, in recent years, resistance to these classes of insecticides has been identified and reported in the various insect pests with an increasing trend due to the frequent and incessant application of these chemicals for pest management. Consequently, this book chapter seeks to highlight the insecticide resistance trends across Sub-Saharan Africa.

DOI: 10.19103/AS.2025.0163.17