Endosulfan Resistance in Hypothenemus hampei (Coleoptera: Scolytidae) in New Caledonia

Abstract

The Potter tower direct spray technique was used to determine the suscep-tibility to endosulfan of 16 strains of Hypothenemus hampei (Ferrari) from the East and West Coasts of New Caledonia. Strains from the drier West Coast were susceptible, whereas susceptible and resistant strains 'were recorded from the wetter East Coast. This is the first record of resistance in H. hampei and Scolytidae. High levels of up to 1,000-foldendosulfan resistance were detected from five locations. These were associated with poor field control since 1986 and highly significant increases in berry infestation from 1985 to 1987. Detection of resistance follows 6 yr of lindane use and 10 yr of biannual endosulfan application.