The historical failure of insecticide resistance management of the diamondback moth and the way forward

Resistance of diamondback moth (DBM) to insecticides in Southeast Asia remains notorious despite repeated efforts by the chemical industry and academia to manage it. New insecticides continue to lose their efficacy a few seasons after their introduction for use. Scientific knowledge on the DBM resistance profile and resistance mechanisms in the literature is voluminous. However, there is still a large gap between knowledge and practical implementation to avoid or delay resistance at the farm level. Farmers lack practical technical guidance on methods of pest control in crucifers. They often follow their innovative instinct by searching for new products from retailers for quick and effective solutions. Farmers may use an effective product continuously until it can no longer control the pests. In addition, the practice by farmers to ensure efficacy by mixing a cocktail of different products, often without a technical foundation for the mix, probably contributes further to aggravating the resistance problem. The risk of resistance to the mixture as well as to the new products may be accelerated. At first sight, it is an almost insurmountable task to manage the resistance of DBM in Southeast Asia. The way forward in insecticide resistance management is a bottom-up approach, hand-in-hand with the farmers and retailers who are the starting point from where all concepts and techniques of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) and Insecticide Resistance Management (IRM) will be implemented. A commitment from the chemical industry, academia, governments, international organisations (financial donors, researchers, trainers, advisers) to work together, is essential in devising a common practical IRM strategy that will be favourably perceived and accepted by farmers and pesticide retailers. The chemical industry is ready for partnership with all concerned parties to arrive at a workable solution for the benefit of all.