Success StoryAlfalfa weevil insecticide resistance identified



Alfalfa weevil insecticide resistance identified

Author: Ricardo Bessin

Planning Unit: Entomology

Major Program: Integrated Pest Management

Outcome: Initial Outcome

In early summer of 2021, a producer in central Kentucky (largest produce in the state) reported insecticide failure with control of alfalfa weevil. Smalls were collect, reared in the laboratory and bioassyed for effectiveness to available insecticides for that pest. Bioassys indicated that the alfalfa weevils on that farm were highly resistent to pyrethroid insecticides and other effective alternative insecticides were recommended.  This is the first evidence of eastern opulations of alfalfa weevil with resistance to pyrethroids.