We investigated the LD50 values and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) sensitivity to carbamate insecticides in the rice leaf beetle, Oulema oryzae Kuwayama. Resistant populations showed high levels of resistance to PHC (> 28,000x), BPMC (135x to 151x) and benfuracarb (21x to 29x). The median inhibition concentration (I-50) of carbamates to AChE in resistant populations was clearly greater than in susceptible populations. The acetylcholinesterase insensitivity ratio (IR) values ranged from 634x (benfuracarb) to > 20,000x (PHC and BPMC). Therefore, insensitivity to AChE is an important mechanism in carbamate resistance in the rice leaf beetle.