Resurgence of pests

Definition

The rapid rebound of a pest population to damaging levels following a temporary suppression, typically induced by broad-spectrum insecticide application that eliminates natural enemies while leaving surviving pest individuals or sublethal doses that stimulate reproduction. Resurgence differs from simple population recovery by involving a demographic release from biological control, often resulting in outbreaks more severe than pre-treatment levels. The phenomenon exemplifies the destabilizing effects of chemical control on arthropod community dynamics.

Etymology

Latin resurgere, to rise again; applied to pest management contexts in the 1950s–1960s as insecticide resistance and ecological side-effects became recognized.

Example

After aerial spraying of malathion against brown planthopper (Nilaparvata lugens) in Indonesian rice fields, predator populations of spiders and mirid bugs collapsed, leading to a 10-fold resurgence of planthoppers and greater crop loss than in unsprayed fields.

Synonyms

• pest resurgence
• secondary pest outbreak

Related Terms

• secondary pest outbreak
• pest replacement
• insecticide resistance
• Biological control
• trophic cascade
• sublethal effect
• IPM
• natural enemy

Usage Notes

Distinguished from 'secondary pest outbreak,' where a non-pest species becomes damaging after its natural enemies are eliminated. Resurgence specifically involves the same pest species rebounding. Often used in contrast to 'resistance' (genetic adaptation) versus 'resurgence' (ecological release). The term implies human-induced disruption; natural population fluctuations after weather events are not typically labeled resurgence.