Pests are more likely to develop pesticides resistance when _____.

Pests are more likely to develop pesticides resistance when _____.

• A. Pesticides with multiple modes of action are used
• B. A persistent pesticide is frequently used
• C. The pest has a long-life cycle
• D. Pests are exposed to natural enemies

Answer: (B)

Pesticide resistance develops through natural selection. When a pesticide is used repeatedly, individuals in the pest population that happen to have genetic traits that allow them to survive the chemical will live longer and leave more offspring. Over time, these resistant traits become more common, making the pesticide less effective. A persistent pesticide sticks around in the environment, so pests are exposed to it across many generations. That continuous exposure creates strong, ongoing selection pressure for resistance, which is why frequent use of a persistent pesticide is the scenario that most strongly promotes resistance development. Rotating pesticides or using those with different modes of action helps break that constant pressure, reducing the chance of resistance. Relying on natural enemies provides biological control that lowers pest pressure without selecting for chemical resistance. A longer pest life cycle can give more generations for adaptation, but the key driver here is the sustained, repeated exposure from a persistent pesticide.

Pesticide resistance develops through natural selection. When a pesticide is used repeatedly, individuals in the pest population that happen to have genetic traits that allow them to survive the chemical will live longer and leave more offspring. Over time, these resistant traits become more common, making the pesticide less effective.

A persistent pesticide sticks around in the environment, so pests are exposed to it across many generations. That continuous exposure creates strong, ongoing selection pressure for resistance, which is why frequent use of a persistent pesticide is the scenario that most strongly promotes resistance development.

Rotating pesticides or using those with different modes of action helps break that constant pressure, reducing the chance of resistance. Relying on natural enemies provides biological control that lowers pest pressure without selecting for chemical resistance. A longer pest life cycle can give more generations for adaptation, but the key driver here is the sustained, repeated exposure from a persistent pesticide.