Insecticide and miticide resistance in New Zealand

The New Zealand Insecticide and Miticide Resistance Task Force was set up in 1987 and consisted of scientists from government, universities and chemical companies. They collated information on cases of insecticide and miticide resistance within New Zealand and formulated strategies for managing and avoiding insecticide and miticide resistance problems. The first resistance management strategies (RMS) were published in 1989. A second task force was established in the early 1990s and revised or new strategies were published in 1996.  The task force was led by Bruce Chapman, Lincoln University, who had assistance from experts in the relevant insect/crop when specific RMS were required.  All contributions were on a voluntary basis. 

In the early 2000s Nicholas Martin, (member NZ Plant Protection Society) coordinated the updating of the strategies by the original or new authors and chemical companies commented on the draft strategies before they were finalised. The authors of the new or revised strategies are shown at the beginning of each strategy, and other significant contributors are acknowledged.

Since Bruce Chapman’s retirement around 2014, RMS have continued to be maintained on an informal basis, with the Insecticide Task Force being in a state of quiescence unless action is needed.

An international body, the Insecticide Resistance Action Committee (IRAC) was formed in 1984 to provide ‘a coordinated industry response to prevent or delay the development of resistance in insect and mite pests.’ IRAC promotes the use of a Mode of Action (MoA) Classification of insecticides and acaricides as the basis for effective and sustainable resistance management.  The NZ RMS refer to and use IRACs MoA classification https://irac-online.org/mode-of-action/.

New Zealand insecticide and miticide resistance management strategies are currently available for the specific pests,

Lightbrown apple moth
Lightbrown apple moth
Epiphyas postivittana
populations in Nelson
have developed resistance
to organophosphate and
carbamate insecticides.

and for the general groups,