The ability of a pest to develop resistance to similar pesticides is called?

The ability of a pest to develop resistance to similar pesticides is termed cross resistance. This phenomenon occurs when a pest becomes resistant to one pesticide and, as a result, also exhibits resistance to other pesticides that share a similar mode of action. The underlying reason for cross resistance is often linked to genetic adaptations within the pest population, allowing them to survive exposure to multiple similar chemical compounds.

For instance, if a pest has developed the capability to survive treatments with one type of insecticide, it may possess specific traits, such as altered metabolic pathways or changes in target sites, that also confer survival against another insecticide with a similar mechanism. Recognizing cross resistance is critical for pest management strategies, as it influences how and when pesticides are applied, and informs the selection of rotation strategies within pest control programs in order to mitigate the development of resistance.

General resistance refers to a broader category where pests may show various forms of resistance without being limited to similar pesticides. Adaptation usually describes a broader evolutionary process not necessarily linked to a specific class of pesticides, while combined resistance typically entails effective resistance to multiple pesticides with differing modes of action, differing from the concept of cross resistance, which focuses specifically on similar products.