James D. Thomas

Management of Insecticide Resistant Soybean Loopers (Pseudoplusia Includens) in the Southern United States

The soybean looper, Pseudoplusia includens (Walker), ranks among the most important of the multitude of pests that threaten soybean annually in the southern United States. With the documentation of resistance to permethrin in 1987, this insect pest has developed resistance to virtually all classes of insecticides to include DDT, cyclodienes, organophosphates, carbamates, and most recently, the pyrethroids. This development is alarming in view of the infrequent use of insecticides on soybean and the rapidity with which resistance has appeared after adoption of an insecticide. The factors responsible relate to the insect’s biology and ecology, which challenge assumptions frequently made when attempting to model development of insecticide resistance in insects. Research progress has been made toward formulation of an insecticide resistance management plan. However, it is evident that expertise and cooperation beyond the soybean community and quite possibly beyond the boundaries of the United States will be necessary to develop and implement a viable strategy.