Which term refers to the ability of a pest population to survive pesticide application?

The term "Resistance" specifically refers to the ability of a pest population to survive the effects of a pesticide application. This phenomenon occurs when certain individuals within a population develop or inherit traits that allow them to withstand the toxic effects of a pesticide. Over time, repeated use of the same pesticide can lead to an increase in the proportion of resistant individuals, reducing the overall effectiveness of the pesticide and making pest management more challenging.

In contrast, tolerance indicates a level of exposure that an organism can withstand without adverse effects but differs from resistance in that tolerance does not involve genetic changes leading to survival in the presence of the pesticide. Susceptibility refers to the likelihood or vulnerability of a pest population to being affected by a pesticide, meaning they are easily killed or impacted when exposed. Carcinogenicity pertains to the potential of a substance to cause cancer, which is unrelated to the concept of pest populations surviving pesticide applications. Thus, "Resistance" is the most accurate term to describe the ability of a pest population to withstand pesticide treatment.