Cross-resistance, inheritance and stability of resistance to acetamiprid in cotton whitefly, Bemisia tabaci Genn (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae)

The cotton whitefly Bemisia tabaci, (Genn.) is an important pest of field crops, vegetables and ornamentals worldwide. Neonicotinoids are considered an important group of insecticides being used against B. tabaci for several years. B. tabaci has developed resistance to some of the compounds of the group. This study was designed to investigate if the selection of B. tabaci with acetamiprid would give a broad-spectrum of cross-resistance and to genetically classify the resistance. At G₁ a low level of resistance to acetamiprid, imidacloprid, thiamethoxam, thiacloprid and nitenpyram was observed with resistance ratios of 3-fold, 8-, 9-, 6- and 5-fold, respectively, compared with a laboratory susceptible population. After selection for eight generations with acetamiprid, resistance to acetamiprid increased to 118-fold compared with the laboratory susceptible population. Selection also increased resistance to imidacloprid, thiamethoxam, thiacloprid, nitenpyram, endosulfan and bifenthrin but no change in susceptibility to fipronil was observed. Furthermore resistance in a field population was stable in the absence of acetamiprid selection pressure. Genetic crosses between resistant and susceptible populations indicated autosomal and incompletely recessive resistance. Further genetic analysis suggested that resistance could be controlled by a single factor. The high level of cross-resistance and stability of incomplete resistance in the field population is of some concern. However, lack of cross-resistance between acetamiprid and fipronil or unstable resistance in the resistant population could provide options to use alternative products which could reduce acetamiprid selection pressure.     

防治褐飞虱的高毒农药替代药剂的室内筛选及交互抗性研究

为了筛选防治褐飞虱的高毒农药的替代药剂,于2005-2006年, 采用稻茎浸渍法测定了6类20余种杀虫剂对广西南宁、桂林,湖南常德和江苏南京褐飞虱种群的室内毒力。结果表明,噻嗪酮、氟虫腈、噻虫嗪、烯啶虫胺、毒死蜱、异丙威、猛杀威、丁硫克百威等8种药剂对褐飞虱具有较高的毒力,可作为替代高毒药剂的候选品种。采用稻茎浸渍法对1个室内褐飞虱种群用吡虫啉筛选23代后,褐飞虱对吡虫啉的抗性从筛选前的200.1倍上升至筛选后的1298.5倍（上升了5.5倍）;高抗吡虫啉的褐飞虱种群对氯噻啉、噻虫啉和啶虫脒表现出明显的交互抗性,而对呋虫胺、噻虫嗪和烯啶虫胺则无明显的交互抗性。 还讨论了褐飞虱的抗性治理策略。     

Insecticides applied to soil of transplant plugs for Bagrada hilaris (Burmeister) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) management in broccoli

Chemical control with insecticides, typically applied as foliar sprays or chemigation, is the primary tactic used to manage Bagrada hilaris (Burmeister) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae). We evaluated the efficacy of 14 insecticides, including both systemic and non-systemic insecticides, against B. hilaris applied as a seedling tray drench. Experiments were conducted in both greenhouse and field settings. In all experiments, we used the maximum label rate of insecticides and calculated dose per seedling based on this rate and standard plant density per hectare. Each seedling in the tray received 2-mL insecticide solution, and the seedlings were then exposed to B. hilaris adults after transplanting in cages for greenhouse experiments or natural B. hilaris populations in the field experiments. A scale system (0–4) was used to evaluate the severity of B. hilaris feeding injury on leaves where 0 = no injury and 4 = >75% of the leaf margins with B. hilaris feeding injury. We evaluated damage using the rating system, percentage of damaged leaves, number of feeding injury sites, as well as plant height, leaf width, and fresh and dry weight. In the greenhouse experiment, percentage of injured leaves, number of injury sites, and damage rating were significantly lower for transplants treated with acetamiprid, clothianidin, dinotefuran, imidacloprid, and thiamethoxam, and cyclaniliprole compared with the untreated. There was a relationship between feeding injury sites and plant height, leaf width, fresh and dry weight (R² > 0.5) in both 2015 field experiments. Similarly, the transplants treated with acetamiprid, clothianidin, dinotefuran, imidacloprid, thiamethoxam, thiamethoxam + chlorantraniliprole, imidacloprid + β-cyfluthrin and cyclaniliprole had significantly lower damage ratings than those treated with chlorpyrifos, bifenthrin, tolfenpyrad, flonicamid, cyantraniliprole, spinetoram and the untreated control. For transplanted broccoli, treatment of transplant plugs with neonicotinoid insecticides prior to planting can be an effective method for controlling B. hilaris.     

Field evolution of insecticide resistance in the brown planthopper (Nilaparvata lugens Stål) in China

The brown planthopper (Nilaparvata lugens Stål) is one of the most destructive pests of rice crops in Asian countries including China, Vietnam, Thailand, etc. Evolution of resistance in this pest insect to isoprocarb, buprofezin, pymetrozine, imidacloprid and other neonicotinoid insecticides has been reported. In order to investigate the current status of resistance to commonly used insecticides, nine field populations of N. lugens were collected from Central China, East China and South China, and resistance to insecticides was monitored from 2009 to 2012. All the 9 field populations collected in 2012 had developed extremely high resistance to imidacloprid, with resistance ratios (RR) ranging from 209.3 to 616.6. Resistance to imidacloprid was much higher in 2012 than in 2009. The RR of thiamethoxam varied from 17.4 to 47.1, and the RR of nitenpyram varied from 1.4 to 3.7 in 2012. Of the 9 field populations, six populations showed higher resistance to nitenpyram in 2012 than in 2011. RR for buprofezin varied from 110.1 to 221.6 in 2012 whereas resistance was at a medium level (RR 20.4 ∼ 39.4-fold) in 2009. RR for pymetrozine ranged from 34.9 to 46.8 in 2012. As for isoprocarb, RR ranged from 21.7 to 38.1 in 2012. The obvious increase in resistance to widely applied insecticides indicates that insecticide resistance management strategies are urgently needed to prevent or delay further increase of insecticide resistance in N. lugens.     

新烟碱类及其他稻田杀虫剂对褐飞虱的室内药效评价

【目的】 系统评价市场上常用杀虫剂对褐飞虱不同虫态的作用特性,为选择对口药剂进行防治提供依据。【方法】 采用稻苗浸渍法,在室内条件下测定了9种新烟碱类药剂和10种其他类型杀虫剂对褐飞虱不同虫态的杀虫活性、速效性和持效性。【结果】 1)杀虫活性：不同杀虫剂活性存在显著差异。其中,烯啶虫胺、噻虫胺、毒死蜱、氟啶虫胺腈、呋虫胺和环氧虫啶活性最好,其次为哒嗪硫磷、乙基多杀菌素、吡蚜酮、异丙威,阿维菌素;其余药剂中噻虫嗪、甲维盐、氟啶虫酰胺对2~3龄若虫有一定活性而对4~5龄虫活性差,噻嗪酮、吡虫啉、噻虫啉、啶虫脒、氯噻啉对两种虫态的活性均较差。2)速效性：毒死蜱、哒嗪硫磷的速效性最好,异丙威、呋虫胺、烯啶虫胺、噻虫胺等次之,吡蚜酮最差。3)持效性：吡蚜酮、呋虫胺、烯啶虫胺、噻虫胺、环氧虫啶持效期>15 d,其中吡蚜酮最好,药后0、5和10 d连续3批接的试虫死亡率无显著差异。4)成虫：呋虫胺、烯啶虫胺、噻虫胺、环氧虫啶、毒死蜱、异丙威、吡蚜酮对雌雄成虫均有效,类似于若虫。5)卵：毒死蜱、烯啶虫胺、呋虫胺和噻虫胺对卵及孵化的若虫均有效;吡蚜酮、环氧虫啶、异丙威等无明显杀卵活性,但吡蚜酮对孵化若虫有较好的杀虫活性。【结论】 19种药剂中,适于褐飞虱防治的有吡蚜酮、烯啶虫胺、呋虫胺、噻虫胺、环氧虫啶、氟啶虫胺腈、毒死蜱、哒嗪硫磷、异丙威共9种。其中,吡蚜酮持效性最佳且对卵之外各虫态活性较好,但速效性最差。呋虫胺、烯啶虫胺、噻虫胺和环氧虫啶等的速效性、持效性均较突出,且前三者对各虫态均有效。氟啶虫胺腈杀虫活性和速效性均好,但持效性差于新烟碱类。毒死蜱和哒嗪硫磷可单独或在防治其他害虫时兼防治褐飞虱,其中毒死蜱速效性最好,适合于大虫量时快速压低虫量。异丙威杀虫活性弱于新烟碱类,但速效性强于新烟碱类药剂,适合与吡蚜酮等混用或复配。此外,用于鳞翅目害虫防治的乙基多杀菌素、阿维菌素、甲维盐对褐飞虱有一定活性,适合防治其他害虫时兼治褐飞虱。而其余药剂如吡虫啉、噻嗪酮、噻虫嗪等7种药剂不适用于褐飞虱的防治。     

新烟碱类及其他稻田杀虫剂对褐飞虱的室内药效评价

【目的】系统评价市场上常用杀虫剂对褐飞虱不同虫态的作用特性，为选择对口药剂进行防治提供依据。【方法】采用稻苗浸渍法，在室内条件下测定了9种新烟碱类药剂和10种其他类型杀虫剂对褐飞虱不同虫态的杀虫活性、速效性和持效性。【结果】1)杀虫活性：不同杀虫剂活性存在显著差异。其中，烯啶虫胺、噻虫胺、毒死蜱、氟啶虫胺腈、呋虫胺和环氧虫啶活性最好，其次为哒嗪硫磷、乙基多杀菌素、吡蚜酮、异丙威，阿维菌素；其余药剂中噻虫嗪、甲维盐、氟啶虫酰胺对2~3龄若虫有一定活性而对4~5龄虫活性差，噻嗪酮、吡虫啉、噻虫啉、啶虫脒、氯噻啉对两种虫态的活性均较差。2)速效性：毒死蜱、哒嗪硫磷的速效性最好，异丙威、呋虫胺、烯啶虫胺、噻虫胺等次之，吡蚜酮最差。3)持效性：吡蚜酮、呋虫胺、烯啶虫胺、噻虫胺、环氧虫啶持效期>15 d，其中吡蚜酮最好，药后0、5和10 d连续3批接的试虫死亡率无显著差异。4)成虫：呋虫胺、烯啶虫胺、噻虫胺、环氧虫啶、毒死蜱、异丙威、吡蚜酮对雌雄成虫均有效，类似于若虫。5)卵：毒死蜱、烯啶虫胺、呋虫胺和噻虫胺对卵及孵化的若虫均有效；吡蚜酮、环氧虫啶、异丙威等无明显杀卵活性，但吡蚜酮对孵化若虫有较好的杀虫活性。【结论】19种药剂中，适于褐飞虱防治的有吡蚜酮、烯啶虫胺、呋虫胺、噻虫胺、环氧虫啶、氟啶虫胺腈、毒死蜱、哒嗪硫磷、异丙威共9种。其中，吡蚜酮持效性最佳且对卵之外各虫态活性较好，但速效性最差。呋虫胺、烯啶虫胺、噻虫胺和环氧虫啶等的速效性、持效性均较突出，且前三者对各虫态均有效。氟啶虫胺腈杀虫活性和速效性均好，但持效性差于新烟碱类。毒死蜱和哒嗪硫磷可单独或在防治其他害虫时兼防治褐飞虱，其中毒死蜱速效性最好，适合于大虫量时快速压低虫量。异丙威杀虫活性弱于新烟碱类，但速效性强于新烟碱类药剂，适合与吡蚜酮等混用或复配。此外，用于鳞翅目害虫防治的乙基多杀菌素、阿维菌素、甲维盐对褐飞虱有一定活性，适合防治其他害虫时兼治褐飞虱。而其余药剂如吡虫啉、噻嗪酮、噻虫嗪等7种药剂不适用于褐飞虱的防治。     

新烟碱类及其他稻田杀虫剂对褐飞虱的室内药效评价

【目的】系统评价市场上常用杀虫剂对褐飞虱不同虫态的作用特性,为选择对口药剂进行防治提供依据。【方法】采用稻苗浸渍法,在室内条件下测定了9种新烟碱类药剂和10种其他类型杀虫剂对褐飞虱不同虫态的杀虫活性、速效性和持效性。【结果】1)杀虫活性:不同杀虫剂活性存在显著差异。其中,烯啶虫胺、噻虫胺、毒死蜱、氟啶虫胺腈、呋虫胺和环氧虫啶活性最好,其次为哒嗪硫磷、乙基多杀菌素、吡蚜酮、异丙威,阿维菌素;其余药剂中噻虫嗪、甲维盐、氟啶虫酰胺对2~3龄若虫有一定活性而对4~5龄虫活性差,噻嗪酮、吡虫啉、噻虫啉、啶虫脒、氯噻啉对两种虫态的活性均较差。2)速效性:毒死蜱、哒嗪硫磷的速效性最好,异丙威、呋虫胺、烯啶虫胺、噻虫胺等次之,吡蚜酮最差。3)持效性:吡蚜酮、呋虫胺、烯啶虫胺、噻虫胺、环氧虫啶持效期>15d,其中吡蚜酮最好,药后0、5和10 d连续3批接的试虫死亡率无显著差异。4)成虫:呋虫胺、烯啶虫胺、噻虫胺、环氧虫啶、毒死蜱、异丙威、吡蚜酮对雌雄成虫均有效,类似于若虫。5)卵:毒死蜱、烯啶虫胺、呋虫胺和噻虫胺对卵及孵化的若虫均有效;吡蚜酮、环氧虫啶、异丙威等无明显杀卵活性,但吡蚜酮对孵化若虫有较好的杀虫活性。【结论】19种药剂中,适于褐飞虱防治的有吡蚜酮、烯啶虫胺、呋虫胺、噻虫胺、环氧虫啶、氟啶虫胺腈、毒死蜱、哒嗪硫磷、异丙威共9种。其中,吡蚜酮持效性最佳且对卵之外各虫态活性较好,但速效性最差。呋虫胺、烯啶虫胺、噻虫胺和环氧虫啶等的速效性、持效性均较突出,且前三者对各虫态均有效。氟啶虫胺腈杀虫活性和速效性均好,但持效性差于新烟碱类。毒死蜱和哒嗪硫磷可单独或在防治其他害虫时兼防治褐飞虱,其中毒死蜱速效性最好,适合于大虫量时快速压低虫量。异丙威杀虫活性弱于新烟碱类,但速效性强于新烟碱类药剂,适合与吡蚜酮等混用或复配。此外,用于鳞翅目害虫防治的乙基多杀菌素、阿维菌素、甲维盐对褐飞虱有一定活性,适合防治其他害虫时兼治褐飞虱。而其余药剂如吡虫啉、噻嗪酮、噻虫嗪等7种药剂不适用于褐飞虱的防治。     

灰飞虱对几类杀虫剂的抗性和敏感性

采用点滴法和稻茎浸渍法分别测定了2006年4月采自江苏省无锡市和浙江省湖州市灰飞虱种群对9种杀虫剂的抗性及17种杀虫剂的敏感性。点滴法测定结果表明,无锡种群和湖州种群对吡虫啉均产生了高水平抗性,抗性倍数分别为79.6倍和44.6倍;对残杀威的抗性倍数分别为76.6倍和40.1倍,属高水平抗性;对甲萘威的抗性倍数分别为29.8倍和45.3倍,属中等-高水平抗性;对二嗪磷、杀螟硫磷、仲丁威、丁硫克百威、醚菊酯、氰戊菊酯的抗性倍数为1.4~8.1倍,属敏感-低水平抗性。毒力测定结果表明氟虫腈、丁烯氟虫腈对无锡和湖州灰飞虱3龄若虫的毒力最高,LC50值为0.21~041 mg/L;噻虫嗪、烯啶虫胺、毒死蜱、吡蚜酮、异丙威、敌敌畏为田间药效试验的推荐用药。还讨论了灰飞虱抗药性的治理。     

防治水稻白背飞虱高毒农药替代药剂的室内筛选及对吡虫啉的抗性风险评估

 为筛选高毒农药的替代药剂,采用稻茎浸渍法测定了7类共21种杀虫剂对2006年和2007年采自南京市江浦地区的白背飞虱种群3龄若虫的毒力。结果表明,噻虫嗪、吡虫啉、噻嗪酮对白背飞虱3龄若虫的毒力最高(LC50=004~026 mg/L);烯啶虫胺、丁烯氟虫腈、吡蚜酮、啶虫咪、氯噻啉、毒死蜱、氟虫腈等也有较高的毒力(LC50＜4.50 mg/L）;异丙威、敌敌畏虽然触杀毒力稍低(LC50＞19.85 mg/L),但两者在生产上仍广泛应用,所以把以上12种药剂作为田间药效试验的推荐品种;同时还比较了该地区白背飞虱种群对供试药剂敏感性的年度间差异,其中对毒死蜱、异丙威、丁硫克百威、速灭威这4种药剂的敏感性下降了66.7%~71.4%。对2006年南京江浦种群用吡虫啉连续筛选15代的结果表明,1~15代抗性上升433倍,抗性现实遗传力为0.2295,存在抗性风险。另外,还讨论了白背飞虱的综合防治。     

Resistance in the mealybug Phenacoccus solenopsis Tinsley (Homoptera: Pseudococcidae) in Pakistan to selected organophosphate and pyrethroid insecticides

The mealybug Phenacoccus solenopsis is a destructive pest of cotton with the potential to develop resistance to most chemical classes of insecticides. Six populations of P. solenopsis from cotton crops at six different locations in Pakistan were evaluated for resistance to selected organophosphate and pyrethroid insecticides. Resistance ratios (RRs) at LC₅₀ were in the range of 2.7–13.3 fold for chlorpyrifos, 11.6–30.2 fold for profenofos and for the three pyrethroids tested were 10.6–46.4 for bifenthrin, 5.8–25.2 for deltamethrin and 4.1–25.0 for lambda-cyhalothrin. This is the first report of resistance to organophosphate and pyrethroid insecticides in Pakistani populations of P. solenopsis. Regular insecticide resistance monitoring programs are needed to prevent field control failures. Moreover, integrated approaches including the judicious use of insecticides and rotation of insecticides with different modes of action are needed to delay the development of insecticide resistance in P. solenopsis.     

Regional susceptibilities to 12 insecticides of melon and cotton aphid,Aphis gossypii (Hemiptera: Aphididae) and a point mutation associated with imidacloprid resistance

The melon and cotton aphid Aphis gossypii Glover (Hemiptera; Aphididae) is one of the most serious pests worldwide. We surveyed insecticide susceptibility in A. gossypii field populations to 12 insecticides (6 neonicotinoids, 3 pyrethroids and 3 others) to examine resistance ratios. The levels of insecticide resistance were extremely high, especially to neonicotinoids, such as acetamiprid, clothianidin, thiacloprid and imidacloprid. To identify the neonicotinoid resistance mechanisms, we used an imidacloprid-resistant (IMI-R) strain as a model strain. IMI-R showed an extremely high resistance ratio and also cross-resistance to all the test neonicotinoids. However, there was little or no cross-resistance to the other insecticides, including sulfoxaflor. Synergist tests and enzyme activity assays suggested the absence of resistance mechanisms based on enhanced detoxification enzymes, such as cytochrome P450, esterase and glutathione S-transferase. One point mutation was found in the beta1 subunit loop D region of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) of the IMI-R strain. This R81T point mutation was also found in field populations collected from 5 regions. Therefore, the R81T point mutation was identified as an important mechanism of imidacloprid resistance in A. gossypii.     

Integration of soil applied neonicotinoid insecticides and acibenzolar-S-methyl for systemic acquired resistance (SAR) control of citrus canker on young citrus trees

Soil application of systemic neonicotinoid insecticides for control of psyllid vectors of Huanglongbing disease on young citrus trees also produces season-long SAR control of citrus canker caused by Xanthomonas citri subsp. citri Schaad et al. The neonicotinoids imidacloprid (IMID) and thiamethoxam (THIA) were compared with soil or sprinkler applications of the commercial SAR inducer acibenzolar-S-methyl (ASM) and foliar sprays of copper hydroxide (CH) and/or streptomycin (STREP) to evaluate their effects on the percentage of canker-infected leaves on 2-yr-old ‘Vernia’ orange and 3-yr-old ‘Ray Ruby’ grapefruit trees in Southeast Florida. All treatments significantly reduced the incidence of foliar canker compared to the untreated check. Soil drenches of ASM and season long rotations with IMID and THIA were highly effective for suppressing foliar canker on young grapefruit and orange trees under weather conditions absent of high intensity rains or tropical storms. Sprinkler application of ASM was less effective than soil drench. The level of control for SAR treatments was comparable to eleven 21-day interval sprays of CH and/or STREP. SAR induced by soil-applied insecticides provides substantial benefits for canker disease management on young citrus trees that may be augmented with ASM.     

Can resistance in Bemisia tabaci (Homoptera: Aleyrodidae) be overcome with mixtures of neonicotinoids and insect growth regulators?

Tobacco whitefly, Bemisia tabaci is an important polyphagous insect pest which has developed resistance to various insecticides worldwide. Mixtures of insecticides with different modes of action may delay the onset of resistance. Bioassays were performed to investigate the effects of various mixtures of neonicotinoid and insect growth regulator (IGR) insecticides against a susceptible and a resistant strain. The results of the study showed that potentiation ratio (PR) of all neonicotinoids + buprofezin or pyriproxyfen mixtures at 1:1, 10:1 and 20:1 ratios was greater than 1 suggesting synergistic interactions between insecticides. Maximum potentiation occurred at the 1:1 ratio (PR = 1.69–7.56). The PRs for mixture of acetamiprid, thiamethoxam, thiacloprid or nitenpyram with buprofezin or pyriproxyfen at 1:10 and 1:20 ratios were less than 1 indicating antagonistic interactions. Addition of synergists, S, S, S, tri-butyl phosphorotrithioate (DEF) or piperonyl butoxide (PBO) in the insecticide solutions largely overcame the resistance to all tested neonicotinoids, indicating that the resistance was associated with esterases or mono-oxygenases, respectively. Likewise, addition of both DEF and PBO in mixture with neonicotinoids and IGRs also suggested a similar mechanism of resistance in B. tabaci to the tested insecticide groups. The mechanism of synergism between neonicotinoids and IGRs is unclear. Implications of using mixtures to counteract pesticide resistance are discussed. Mixtures of neonicotinoids with buprofezin or pyriproxyfen at a 1:1 ratio could be used to restore the efficacy of these neonicotinoids against B. tabaci.     

Susceptibility of Different Populations of Nilaparvata lugens from Major Rice Growing Areas of Karnataka, India to Different Groups of Insecticides

Susceptibility to insecticides was investigated by collecting field populations of brown planthopper from different locations of southern Karnataka,India(Gangavati,Kathalagere,Kollegala,Soraba and Mandya).All the field populations differed in their susceptibility to insecticides.In general,Soraba and Mandya populations were more susceptible to insecticides compared to Gangavati and Kathalagere populations.The resistance ratios varied greatly among the populations viz.,chlorpyriphos(1.13-to 16.82-fold),imidacloprid(0.53-to 13.50-fold),acephate(1.34-to 5.32-fold),fipronil(1.13-to4.06-fold),thiamethoxam(1.01-to 2.19-fold),clothianidin(1.92-to 4.86-fold),dinotefuran(0.82-to 2.22-fold),buprofezin(1.06-to 5.43-fold)and carbofuran(0.41-to 2.17-fold).The populations from Gangavati,Kathalagere and Kollegala exhibited higher resistance to some of the old insecticides and low resistance to new molecules.     

Selection of bifenthrin resistance in cotton mealybug Phenacoccus solenopsis Tinsley (Homoptera: Pseudococcidae): Cross-resistance,realized heritability and possible resistance mechanism

Cotton mealybug Phenacoccus solenopsis Tinsley is an important pest of cotton in Pakistan, and its management is difficult due to the development of insecticide resistance. This research was conducted to characterize the bifenthrin resistance in populations of P. solenopsis and different parameters such as cross-resistance, realized heritability and possible resistance mechanisms were studied to improve the management of this important pest. A field-collected population was selected with bifenthrin in the laboratory for 14 generations and developed a resistance of 178-fold. The realized heritability of bifenthrin resistance was 0.54 in the selected population. The toxicity of bifenthrin was synergized by the addition of either piperonylbutoxide (PBO) or S,S,S tributylphosphorotrithioate (DEF) which suggests a general metabolic resistance due to possible involvement of mono-oxygenases or esterases. However, the resistant population did not develop a significant cross-resistance to either buprofezin, chlorpyrifos or lambda-cyhalothrin. These data suggest that alternative insecticide-based management programs can be developed for this pest in the short-term, but resistance management strategies which can reduce the sole reliance on insecticides are still needed.     

Orchard and nursery dynamics of the effect of interplanting citrus with guava for huanglongbing,vector, and disease management

The Asian citrus psyllid (ACP), Diaphorina citri Kuwayama (Hemiptera: Liviidae), is an important pest of citrus in the United States of America primarily because it vectors ‘Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus’, the bacterium putatively responsible for Asiatic huanglongbing (HLB). Asiatic HLB is considered one of the most serious diseases of citrus. In the United States where Asiatic HLB was first found in the state of Florida, vector control is considered an essential component to mitigate pathogen infection and spread of the disease. Therefore commercial citrus growers in Florida have adopted intensive insecticide programs to manage psyllid populations. However, the repetitive use of insecticides for ACP control is expensive and interferes with biological control of ACP and other citrus pests. As an alternative to insecticides, reports from Vietnam indicated that infestations of ACP in citrus (and consequently incidence of HLB) were reduced when citrus was interplanted with white guava, Psidium guajava L. Speculations were that guava volatiles reduced ACP infestations in citrus by either repelling ACP or interfering with ACP ability to locate and infest citrus grown next to guava. We present the results of two studies conducted in Florida (where both ACP and HLB occur) to assess ACP infestations and HLB incidence in citrus interplanted with either white or pink guava compared to infestations and disease incidence in citrus grown as a monoculture, both in orchards and nurseries. In the field study, the effect of guava on ACP infestations was assessed alone and in combination with insecticide or oil applications. Significant reductions in ACP infestations in citrus interplanted with pink guava were identified, but there was no reduction in citrus interplanted with white guava. The effect of pink guava on ACP infestations could be investigated further. However, intercropping citrus with either white or pink guava did not prevent the introduction and spread of HLB. Conclusions from field studies regarding guava as a management tactic against ACP were difficult to make due to persistent nematode problems and freeze damage to guava, which could have interfered with the production of guava volatiles responsible for deterring ACP infestations. Conversely, citrus nursery trees interspersed with guava did show reduced HLB incidence and disease progression over time. However, vector and disease reduction resulting from guava intercropping in citrus nurseries was not adequate to recommend it as a management strategy.     

Evaluation of soil applied systemic acquired resistance inducers integrated with copper bactericide sprays for control of citrus canker on bearing grapefruit trees

Soil application of systemic neonicotinoid insecticides and the commercial systemic acquired resistance (SAR) inducer, acibenzolar-S-methyl (ASM), provides season-long control of foliar infection by Xanthomonas citri subsp. citri, the causal agent of citrus canker. Reduction in leaf disease incidence with ASM is comparable to protection with 21-day interval foliar sprays of copper hydroxide (CH). Soil applications of ASM alone, rotated with the neonicotinoids imidacloprid (IMID), thiamethoxam (THIA), and clothianidin (CLOTH), or combined with foliar sprays of CH were compared for canker disease control on fruit of 5- to 7-year-old bearing ‘Ruby Red’ grapefruit trees in Southeast Florida. All treatments significantly reduced the incidence of canker lesions on fruit compared to the untreated check. Soil drenches of ASM and season-long rotations with IMID, THIA, and CLOTH were as effective for suppressing fruit canker as season-long foliar sprays with CH. SAR inducers combined with CH sprays provided optimum control of fruit canker when initiated before the onset of the susceptible foliar flush in the spring. Additional control of canker with soil-applied SAR inducers may enable reduction in the frequency of copper sprays and reduce disease loss from copper resistant Xcc strains where they are prevalent.     

Progress Toward an Attract-and-Kill Device for Asian Citrus Psyllid (Hemiptera: Liviidae) Using Volatile Signatures of Citrus Infected With Huanglongbing as the Attractant

Asian citrus psyllid, Diaphorina citri (Kuwayama), preferentially orient toward citrus hosts infected with the phytopathogenic bacterium, Candidatus liberibacter asiaticus (CLas) the agent of citrus greening (Huanglongbing, HLB), compared to uninfected counterparts. We investigated whether this preference for the odors of infected plants could be useful for the development of an attract-and-kill (AK) device for D. citri. Twenty-nine blends of volatile organic compounds derived from the odor of citrus infected with CLas were tested in laboratory olfactometer tests, and two blends were also assessed under field conditions. A seven component blend of tricosane: geranial: methyl salicylate: geranyl acetone: linalool: phenylacetaldehyde: (E)-β-ocimene in a 0.40: 0.06: 0.08: 0.29: 0.08: 0.06: 0.03 ratio released from a proprietary slow-release matrix attracted twice more D. citri to yellow sticky traps compared with blank control traps. The attractive blend was subsequently co-formulated with spinosad insecticide into a slow-release matrix to create a prototype AK formulation against D. citri. This formulation effectively reduced the population density of D. citri up to 84% as measured with tap counts when deployed at a density of eight 2.5 g dollops per tree as compared with untreated controls in small plot field trials conducted in citrus orchards. Psyllid populations were not statistically affected at a deployment rate of four dollops per tree. Our results indicate that an AK formulation incorporating spinosad and a volatile blend signature of citrus greening into a slow-release matrix may be useful to suppress D. citri populations.     

Dormant season foliar sprays of broad-spectrum insecticides: An effective component of integrated management for Diaphorina citri (Hemiptera: Psyllidae) in citrus orchards

Diaphorina citri Kuwayama (Hemiptera: Psyllidae), is a global pest of citrus and vector of Candidatus Liberibacter, a bacteria that causes huanglongbing or greening, a devastating disease of citrus. Mature citrus trees are dormant in winter and produce most new shoots in spring, followed by sporadic canopy growth in summer and fall. Young shoots are required for oviposition and nymphal development, but adults can survive and overwinter on hardened leaves. Surviving adults reproduce in spring shoots and their progeny are probably responsible for a large portion of disease spread as they disperse to search for food. Therefore, foliar sprays of broad-spectrum insecticides applied to mature trees in winter were evaluated in a commercial citrus orchard as tactic to reduce pest populations and insecticide use in spring and summer when beneficial insects are most active. A single spray of chlorpyrifos (2.8 kg a.i. ha⁻¹) in January 2007 reduced adult psyllids an average of 10-fold over six months compared to untreated trees. The following year, differences with the untreated control averaged 15-fold for over five months following a single spray of chlorpyrifos, fenpropathrin (0.34 kg a.i. ha⁻¹), or oxamyl (1.12 kg a.i. ha⁻¹) applied in January. Spiders, lacewings and ladybeetles were equally abundant during the growing season in both treated and untreated trees both years (P = 0.05). Thus foliar sprays of broad-spectrum insecticides before spring growth suppressed D. citri for five to six months, with no detectible impact on key natural enemies. This tactic has been widely adopted to control the psyllid in Florida, in some cases area-wide. Additional sprays during the growing season should be based on scouting and targeted at adults before anticipated new flush.     

Monitoring of insecticide resistance in Spodoptera litura (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) from four districts of Punjab,Pakistan to conventional and new chemistry insecticides

Studies were carried out to evaluate the resistance of Pakistani populations of the beet armyworm, Spodoptera litura (F) to several commonly used insecticides. Different field populations of S. litura from four districts of the Punjab were monitored from 2009 to 2011 for resistance to insecticides using a standard leaf dip bioassay method. For organophosphates and pyrethroids, resistance ratios compared with a susceptible Lab-Pk population were in the range of 8–109 fold for deltamethrin, 11–139 fold for cypermethrin, 19–143 fold for chlorpyrifos and 39–162 fold for profenofos. For new chemistry insecticides, resistance levels were 2–74 fold for spinosad, 4–216 fold for abamectin, 7–87 fold for indoxacarb, 2–77 fold for emamectin benzoate, 1.9–58 fold for lufenuron and 4–43 fold for methoxyfenozide. Pairwise correlation coefficients of LC₅₀ values showed a positive correlation with cross-resistance among deltamethrin, cypermethrin and chlorpyrifos, while resistance to profenofos showed correlations with resistances to other insecticides except chlorpyrifos. New chemistry insecticides showed no correlations between any of the tested insecticides. There were high to very high levels of resistance to organophosphates in most of the population, which suggested that the use of these should be avoided against this pest. Selective use of pyrethroids in several areas, including Bahawalpur and Lodhran, where the pest showed a low level of resistance, would appear to be acceptable, the new chemistry insecticides, lufenuron, methoxyfenozide, emamectin and indoxacarb had no, very low, low and moderate resistance levels against populations, respectively. These are considered to be safe to the environment and safer to natural enemies.