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Contents 1 Initial thoughts 2 Still needs work 2.1 Possible bias 2.2 Limited coverage 2.2.1 Factors 2.2.2 Examples 2.2.3 Physiology 2.3 Why don't I edit it?

[edit] Initial thoughts

This is very much just a starter. I finally found a general definition (and since EPPO standards are accepted in EU legislation this should be acceptable)

Suggested sections are (in no particular order).

• Mechanisms of resistance
• Management/Prevention of resistance
• Resistance risk assessment
• Examples/cases
• Causes of resistance

I have knowledge/expertise in insecticide and fungicide resistance and would be grateful for inputs in other areas, particularly herbicides.

It may make sense to split off articles on insecticide/herbicide/fungicide resistance.

All comments welcome.

Maccheek 09:40, 7 November 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Still needs work

I'm glad people have made an attempt at expanding this article but I think there are a number of areas that need to be addressed. The referencing is also poor, Introduction to insect biology and diversity, is not an appropriate source for information on resistance.

[edit] Possible bias

Parts of the article are taking an anti pesticide stance, while some of the comments may be valid they ignore the benefits of pesticides and that new compounds are much safer.

[edit] Limited coverage

[edit] Factors

Biased towards insecticides and based on general sources that appear to have little specialist knowledge of the area. The first sentence is debatable on not particularly relevant. The second paragraph is unlikely to be true in much of the developed world. Second sentence of third paragraph is of very minor relevance. First sentence of fourth has misinterpreted the facts, or at least is badly written in such a way that it can be misinterpreted.

[edit] Examples

The first known case of pesticide resistance was not to DDT but was I believe in San Jose scale to lime sulphur in 1908. The examples ought to focus on particularly important cases, Colorado Potato beetles (resistant to 16 insecticide groups up to 1984), Diamond Back Moth, Tobacco Whitefly, Black Sigatoka disease.

[edit] Physiology

The physiology focuses on only one mechanisms of resistance, and does so poorly. A pest does not "develop an enzyme", it may produce more of an enzyme or it may mutate an existing one but it won't produce a new one. Resistance may be caused by; Up rating detoxification mechanisms Increasing transport of the chemical away from the active site Insensitivity of the active site Sequestration Decreased penetration Changes in behaviour

[edit] Why don't I edit it?

I will when I find time, mainly to track down more appropriate references as I don't have easy access to an academic library! And amongst other things I have a meeting on fungicide resistance to arrange!

Maccheek (talk) 17:34, 23 February 2008 (UTC)

What can I say, I think you're absolutely right about the bias. I think I've done a pretty crappy job of editing pesticide-related articles by giving an undue weight to their negative aspects, partly because it's so much easier to find taht kind of info. Probably what needs to be done is to find other info to balance it out, especially stuff like info about the newer compounds you mentioned. DonWauchope is a pesticide expert, maybe there's a chance of getting him back involved, I'll ask him.

I don't have any problem with what you have written and I thank you for doing so, only what still needs to be included. Maccheek (talk) 15:24, 24 February 2008 (UTC)

I hope I'm not displaying my ignorance too bad here, but I'm not sure why the bug textbook isn't a good source. I can see how there'd be concern about the environmental science text, but again it could be balanced out.

It may be OK, it's not one I'm familiar with but judging from the support its given to the article it looks like it focuses on slightly old issues such as DDT, which is banned, and is not as rigorous as it could be in covering all relevant aspects. I'm also keen not to just focus on insecticides. I could probably write a lot of it off the top of my head (I'm a regulatory scientist and part of my job is evaluating the resistance risk of pesticides and trying to devise and implement management strategies ) but I don't have the time to track down good references. My job also puts me in a slightly sensitive position and I need to make sure what I write is accurate and unbiased. Maccheek (talk) 15:24, 24 February 2008 (UTC)

Thanks for looking out for the neutrality, I look forward to the improvements you plan to make. I don't have a problem with you changing any of the stuff you brought up. delldot on a public computer talk 03:56, 24 February 2008 (UTC)

Sorry for such a late reply Maccheek. The problems with the texts may have been my own errors or distortions, rather than problems with the sources; I have no expertise. I certainly understand about your time constraints and am grateful to you for being willing to donate some of your limited time to the project. Let me know if there's anything I can help out with. I'm not totally clear about how to fix the problems, but if you find sources or whatnot I may be able to do some of the gruntwork. I think you're wise not to do anything from memory without the sources right there; I'm a big fan of compulsively referencing everything. Thanks again! delldot talk 14:41, 30 April 2008 (UTC) The replying in the middle of my post makes reading it a little confusing, we usually put our posts after one another's, though that does mean it's harder to respond to individual points.