Vol.12_No.2 - Pesticide Alternatives Lab - Michigan State University

Spring 2003 Resistant Pest Management Newsletter Vol. 12, No.2The Resistance Database - IRAC carried out andpublished an international resistance survey a numberof years ago but this is gradually becoming out of date.The survey is now being replaced by a new databasebeing developed at Michigan State University andsponsored in part by IRAC. This is a major effort andwill be the subject of a separate article in the ResistantPest Management Newsletter.Resistance Monitoring Methods - Reliable data onresistance, rather than rumors or assumptions, is thecornerstone of successful resistance management. Keyto this is the availability of sound baseline data on thesusceptibility of the target pest to the toxicant. A largenumber of bioassay and biochemical tests areemployed to characterize resistance but are notnecessarily comparable because different parametersand criteria are used. IRAC has evaluated and validateda wide range of testing methods that are published andare also freely available on the IRAC website. Newmethods are being evaluated and added to the list allthe time.Regulatory Approvals and Support - IRAC (along withHRAC and FRAC) have taken a leading role as anexpert group providing industry responses to proposalsfrom regulatory bodies. For example there is now aregulatory requirement in the EU under Directive91/414/EEC for companies to provide an assessment ofthe potential risk of resistance being developed bytarget organisms and for management strategies to beintroduced to address such risks. The ResistanceAction Committees (RACs) have been instrumental indeveloping workable guidelines for companiesresulting in the publication of an official GuidanceDocument. Similarly the US Environmental ProtectionAgency and the Pest Management Regulatory Agencyof Canada have been developing a voluntary pesticideresistance management labeling scheme based on modeor target site of action on the pest. The RACs havebeen heavily involved in classifying pesticides intospecific groups and families to enable the scheme towork. Development has been carried out under theauspices of the North American Free Trade Associationand has resulted in the issue of a Pesticide Registration(PR) Notice in the US.Education and Communication - IRAC has alwaysbelieved that education and communication plays a keyrole in the global management of resistance and hastaken many steps over the years to provide resources toacademia, researchers, industry, and growers. A newproject being undertaken this year is to update theexisting IRAC Education Kit that comprised of a video,35 mm slides, and supporting documentation toconduct an introductory workshop. Details about thekit will be announced in later editions of the ResistantPest Management Newsletter. Most of the IRACCountry groups, as well as utilizing centrallydeveloped resources, have their own educationalprograms in place, tailored to meet their local needs.IRAC US for example publishes articles on a regularbasis in grower magazines while IRAC Brazil holdstraining workshops in different locations. Other IRACGroups such as Australia, South Africa, Spain, andIndia have similar initiatives ongoing.IRAC Website - The existing IRAC website has nowbeen on-line for four years and has become the mainhome for IRAC information. Data available on-lineincludes the Monitoring Methods, MOA classificationscheme, Project and Country Group updates, MeetingMinutes, Member Contact details, Useful Links, detailsof Published Articles, and copies of new postersrecently produced.CONCLUSION IRAC is proud of its contribution to theCrop Protection Industry by improving awareness andmanagement of resistance issues. For this to continue itrequires not only the cooperation and support ofmanufacturers, regulators, extension workers,consultants, sellers, and users, but also effectivecommunication and compromise between technical andcommercial departments of all companies marketingcrop protection products. IRAC, with the support ofmember companies, intends to continue its role infacilitating this process.Historical Perspectives on Insecticide Resistance Research - New Study Investigates Developments in ScientificApproaches from First Known Cases to the Present SituationThe case of insecticide resistance provides anilluminating window into the workings of scientificJohn S. CeccattiPost-Doctoral Research Associate, Historical SeminarUniversity of Basel, SwitzerlandChemical Heritage Foundation, 315 Chestnut StreetPhiladelphia, PA 19106United Statesresearch and the complex interactions betweendisciplines and institutions. Beginning with the first9