Pesticide resistance is best described as the pest population's genetic adaptation that leads to survival after exposure.

• A. Toxicity of pesticide
• B. Environmental persistence of a pesticide
• C. Genetic adaptation of pests
• D. Pesticide potency increase

Answer: (C)

Pesticide resistance comes from the pest population evolving genetic changes that let individuals survive exposure to the chemical. When a pesticide is used, most susceptible pests die, but a few carry resistance genes. Those survivors reproduce, spreading resistance through the population. Over time, the population becomes harder to control with the same pesticide because the resistance genes are more common. This is about genetic adaptation in pests, not about how toxic the chemical is, how long it stays active in the environment, or any increase in the pesticide’s potency. Effective management aims to slow this evolution by rotating modes of action, using integrated pest management, and incorporating refuges to maintain susceptible pests.