How does pesticide resistance develop in pest populations?

Pesticide resistance develops primarily through repeated exposure to the same pesticide, which allows surviving individuals within a pest population to pass on their genetic traits to the next generation. This process is a classic example of natural selection. When a pesticide is applied, it may kill the majority of the pest population; however, there may be a small number of individuals that have genetic mutations conferring resistance to that specific pesticide. These resistant individuals are more likely to survive and reproduce, resulting in a population that increasingly comprises individuals with resistance traits.

Over time, as the same pesticide continues to be used, the resistant pests become more prevalent compared to non-resistant ones. This leads to a situation where conventional pest control methods become less effective, as the population evolves to withstand the effects of the pesticide employed against them. This phenomenon underlines the importance of implementing integrated pest management practices and rotating different types of pesticides to reduce the risk of developing resistance.