The dual insecticide ± synergist discriminating dose technique proved highly successful in determining the relative importance of pyrethroid resistance mechanisms present in field populations of Helicoverpa armigera, without the problems of alternative techniques. Synergist pre-treatment proved unnecessary therefore allowing use of the more convenient and labour efficient discriminating dose pre-mix.

Oxidative metabolic detoxification, probably via a polysubstrate monooxygenase system, was the major pyrethroid resistance mechanism in both larval and adult H. armigera. Residual piperonyl butoxide insensitive resistance (presumably nerve insensitivity, possibly acting in combination with the penetration resistance factor) was also present but at a low level. This latter resistance mechanism was expressed in larvae but moths appeared to express only weak phenotypic resistance. The predominant pyrethroid resistance mechanism employed by insects is discussed in relation to their feeding habit. The tenet that nectar feeding adult Lepidoptera are unable to express metabolic pyrethroid resistance is challenged.

Unrestrained pre-strategy pyrethroid selection pressure on sequential generations resulted in selection for elevated levels of kdr type nerve insensitivity and possibly even super kdr. Restriction of pyrethroid selection pressure to one generation per season favoured selection of the oxidative over the nerve insensitivity resistance mechanism. Two possibly complementary explanations are put forward for this; differential genetic dominance (semidominant oxidative mechanism versus recessive nerve insensitivity) and/or selection in more than one life stage (moths and larvae for the oxidative mechanism versus predominantly larvae only for the nerve insensitivity mechanism). It is suggested that insecticide resistance management strategies should be designed to avoid selection of elevated levels of the intractable nerve insensitivity resistance mechanism whereas low levels of this mechanism (normal kdr) are not considered difficult to manage. The demonstration that the strategy has favoured selection of the more amenable oxidative resistance mechanism invites the opportunity to develop possible chemical countermeasures.