Cross resistance between insecticides in coffee berry borer, Hypothenemus hampei (Coleoptera: Scolytidae) from New Caledonia

The responses of adult females of Hypothenemus hampei (Ferrari) from New Caledonia, which were either resistant or susceptible to endosulfan, were compared to a range of insecticides. High levels of cross resistance were present to organochlorines (aldrin, dieldrin and lindane). No cross resistance was evident to carbaryl or organophosphates (descending order of toxicity: fenitrothion > pirimiphos-methyl > chlorpyrifos > diazinon=malathion). Carbaryl, a carbamate, was the least toxic, and avermectin, a macrocyclic lactone, was the most toxic insecticide tested on H. hampei. No evidence of synergy from esterase (DEF) or microsomal oxidase (piperonyl butoxide) inhibitors was present.