ABSTRACT
This chapter examines the major features of the pesticide crisis as it affected entomologists in the US Pest control scientists who understand the implications of history will be better prepared to resolve or avoid the major barriers lying between naturally occurring pesticides and ameliorations of the pesticide crisis. Emergence of economic entomology as a scientific profession occurred simultaneously with the initiation of major technological changes in the agricultural enterprise. Successes with DDT and other new insecticidal molecules created a sense of euphoria among entomologists and their client farmers. The source of euphoria was simple: the new insecticides allowed entomologists and farmers to achieve a degree of insect control that was simply unheard of before their introduction. The euphoria among entomologists and farmers over the new insecticides was not, however, untouched by other concerns. Control schemes based on chemicals were undermined by changes in the properties of insect populations. The development of resistance to insecticides are serious such developments.
