Which of the following best describes the concept of pesticide resistance?

The concept of pesticide resistance is best described as the ability of pests to thrive under pesticide pressure. This phenomenon occurs when a population of pests develops genetic traits that allow them to survive exposure to a pesticide that would typically be lethal. Over time, as the same pesticide is applied repeatedly, the susceptible individuals are killed off, and the resistant individuals reproduce, leading to a population that is predominantly resistant. This can result in a situation where standard pest control measures become ineffective, necessitating the development of new strategies or products to manage the pest populations.

Understanding this concept is crucial because it highlights the importance of integrated pest management practices that combine different control methods to minimize the risk of developing resistance in pest populations. The other options do not accurately capture the essence of pesticide resistance, as they focus on factors unrelated to the genetic adaptability of pests to pesticides.