The results of a survey showed that one of the most critical constraints in sesame production in southern Tanzania is sesame flea beetle (Alocypha bimaculata, Jacoby). Local methods used by farmers to control, avoid or compensate for the damage caused by flea beetles were identified. Farmers regarded resistance against the flea beetle as a very desirable objective in a sesame breeding programme, but a number of other important characteristics, such as disease and drought resistance, was also mentioned. At three locations in southern Tanzania twenty sesame varieties were screened for resistance to flea beetles by counting the number of surviving plants at the 1–2 true pairs of leaves growth stage. The results suggest that there were significant differences between varieties in terms of their susceptibility to this pest, which suggests that a resistance breeding programme may be successful.