What action would increase the likelihood of pesticide resistance?

The continual use of the same pesticides from the same chemical class would increase the likelihood of pesticide resistance. When pests are repeatedly exposed to a specific pesticide, particularly one that targets a particular biochemical pathway or mode of action, they can adapt over time. This process of selection favors individuals that have inherited or developed resistance mechanisms, allowing them to survive despite the pesticide application.

As these resistant individuals reproduce, the overall population becomes more resistant to that specific chemical, leading to a situation where the pesticide is no longer effective. This phenomenon is particularly concerning in pest management because it can render a once-effective control measure useless, requiring the use of stronger chemicals or different approaches, which may further exacerbate resistance issues.

Considerations like the number of pesticide applications or the lifespan of insect generations are linked to the overall dynamics of pest populations and resistance but do not directly cause increased resistance in the same manner as repeated exposure to the same chemical class does. The effectiveness and longevity of a pesticide's residual effect relate more to immediate control efficacy than to the risk of developing resistance over time.