Why do natural enemies are generally more adversely affected by chemical insecticides than the target pest?
I understand there could be several factors involved but can someone discuss a few of them and refer some good papers on it.
There are several reasons why natural enemies may be more adversely affected by chemical insecticides than the target pest.
1. Natural enemies often have a more narrow range of prey that they can eat, so they may be more vulnerable to insecticides that are toxic to their preferred prey. In contrast, the target pest may have a more diverse diet and be less affected by the insecticide.
2. Natural enemies may be more sensitive to the toxic effects of insecticides due to their smaller body size and slower metabolism. This can make them more vulnerable to the harmful effects of the chemical.
3. Natural enemies may be more exposed to insecticides due to their behavior. For example, they may spend more time feeding on or near the target pest, which increases their exposure to the chemical.
Overall, the specific reasons it depends on the specific pest, natural enemy, and insecticide being used.
And through the use of specialized chemical pesticides. Or use alternative pesticides
Pesticide resistance is a genetically based, and pest resistance is likely due to multiple factors:
1- Many pest species produce large numbers of offspring, for example, insect pests produce large offspring. This increases the probability of mutations and ensures the rapid expansion of resistant populations.
2- Humans often rely exclusively on pesticides for pest control. This increases the selection pressure towards resistance. Pesticides that do not break down quickly contribute to the selection of resistant strains as well as the indiscrimination application.
3- Predatory insects and parasites generally have smaller populations and are less likely to develop resistance than the main targets of pesticides.
4- Lack of familiarity with variation in regulatory enforcement can obstruct the ability of policymakers to bring about real change in the course of evolving resistance.
Several factores are resposible:
1. natural enemies are more exposed to insecticides than target pests.
2. natural enemies are more susceptible to insecticides compared to target pests.
3. natural enemies develop less resistance or cannot develop resistance to insecticides compared to target pests.
4, natural enemies are fewer in number compared to target pests.
Thanks
1. Natural enemies are likely get more exposure to insecticides due to their constant search for preys.
2. Natural enemies are usually fewer in number so the death of a few individuals may be more noticeable.
Natural enemies are more expose to insecticides as compared to the pest. their size is also big, they have to search more prey so they are more expose so direct spray. Pest are more mostly in gregarious form as compared to solitary predators. They found difficult to hide themselves
I think insects are more moved from area to other buring this movement it exposed to insecticides , and then this develop their resistance . But the natural enemies Thierry movement is limited then they are more sensitive to insecticides.
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