Pyrethroid synergists suppress esterase-mediated resistance in Indian strains of the cotton bollworm, Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner)

The role of esterase in pyrethroid resistance was studied in the final larval instar of different strains of the cotton bollworm, Helicoverpa armigera. The resistant strains viz., Nagpur strain and the Delhi strain were found to have elevated midgut esterase activity in comparison to the susceptible strain. Nagpur strain and Delhi strain have 2.24 and 1.73-fold higher esterase activity, respectively, than that of the susceptible strain. The Native PAGE displayed important differences in the midgut esterase isozyme pattern between the susceptible and the pyrethroid-resistant strains. Out of the 10 esterase isozyme observed, susceptible strain lacked three bands, E2, E6 and E10 that were found in the resistant strains. The potency of the synergists piperonyl butoxide (PBO) and dihydrodillapiole (DDA) as esterase inhibitor were also studied both in vitro and in vivo. The in vitro results clearly show that both PBO and DDA inhibited esterase activity in the two resistant strains, while there was almost no esterase inhibition in the homogenate of the susceptible strain. The in vivo inhibition studies (topical application of PBO and DDA followed by biochemical analysis) illustrated that PBO- and DDA-esterase binding is rather slow and non permanent process. Esterase inhibition did not occur immediately after the synergist treatment but at 4 and 8 h post treatment in case of PBO and DDA, respectively. Native PAGE revealed that the in vivo esterase inhibition caused by both PBO and DDA was due to the binding of the synergist with the E6 isozyme which was not present in the susceptible strain.     

The effects of diet on the detection of resistance to Cry1Ac toxin in Australian Helicoverpa armigera Hübner (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

The effects of raw or heat-denatured soybean flour in an artificial diet on the detection of Cry1Ac resistance in Helicoverpa armigera were examined. Resistant neonate larvae reared on denatured soybean flour diet showed resistance factors of 7980 and 16,901 at the LC₅₀ and LC_99.9 levels, respectively. By comparison, resistance could not be detected in neonate larvae reared on raw flour diet. Third instar larvae reared on denatured flour diet showed resistance factors of 322 and 21,190 at the LC₅₀ and LC_99.9 levels. Resistance was not detected in third instar larvae reared on raw flour diet. There was 68% survival of resistant neonate larvae on Bollgard II cotton leaf feeding assays, compared to 100% mortality in a susceptible strain. We conclude that detection of CRY1Ac resistance in H. armigera from Australia can be masked, if an artificial diet gives chronic exposure to potent, protease inhibitors present in raw soy flour.     

Effect of dihydrodillapiole on pyrethroid resistance associated esterase inhibition in an Indian population of Spodoptera litura (Fabricius)

Resistance in Spodoptera litura (Fabricius) has been attributed to enhanced detoxification of insecticides by increased levels of esterases, oxidases and/or glutathione S-transferases. Enzyme inhibiting insecticide synergists can be employed to counter increased levels of such enzymes in S. litura. Dihydrodillapiole induced synergism of pyrethroid toxicity was examined in the laboratory-reared third instar larval population of S. litura collected in Delhi (susceptible), and Guntur (resistant) region of Andhra Pradesh, India. The Guntur population was found to be 7.04 and 10.19 times resistant to cypermethrin and lambdacyhalothrin, respectively. The activity of cypermethrin, lambdacyhalothrin and profenophos against susceptible and resistance populations of S. litura, was gradually increased when used along with a plant-derived insecticide synergist dihydrodillapiole. The α-naphthyl acetate hydrolysable esterase activity in Delhi population was less as compared to the Guntur population. Resistance associated esterases in Delhi population were inhibited by pre-treatment with dihydrodillapiole. The esterase level in insect was instantly reduced initially, sustained for about 3 h and equilibrated at 4 h post treatment. The esterase activity of Guntur population was increased to 1.28 μmoles/mg/min at 2 h post treatment and subsequently reduced to lower than 0.70 μmoles at 4-12 h post treatment. The variation in esterase activity is suggestive of its homeostatic regulation in test populations. Dihydrodillapiole thus caused significant reduction of resistance in S. litura to cypermethrin, lambda cyhalothrin and profenophos.     

Biochemical studies on sheep body louse Bovicola ovis (Schrank) (Phthiraptera: Trichodectidae): comparison of pyrethroid and organophosphate resistant and susceptible strains

Strains of sheep louse Bovicola ovis (Schrank) with various levels of resistance to pyrethroid and one strain with high degree of resistance to organophosphate (OP) insecticides were used to investigate the biochemical mechanisms of insecticide resistance, i.e., enhanced levels of general esterases, specific acetylcholinesterases (AChE), glutathione S-transferase (GST), and mixed function oxidases. Native gel electrophoresis combined with quantitative enzyme assays showed analogous expression profiles of several esterase isozymes in all the strains tested. The determination of the sensitivity of each esterase isozyme to five inhibitors (acetylthiocholine iodide, butyrylthiocholine iodide, paraoxon eserine sulfate, and pCMB) led to the identification of nine esterases in the B. ovis strain. Gel electrophoresis results are supported by enzyme assay studies where, except for the OP resistant strain, no differences in esterase activities were detected in all the pyrethroid resistant and susceptible strains assayed. Statistical analyses demonstrated that some strains have elevated GST activities compared to the susceptible reference strain.     

Toxicity of chlorantraniliprole to Cry1Ac-susceptible and resistant strains of Helicoverpa armigera

Transgenic Bt cotton expressing Cry1Ac is important in controlling various agricultural pests, including Helicoverpa armigera. Especially for transgenic crops that are cultivated in large expanses, avoiding resistance development is a key for ensuring sustainability of Bt technologies. Integrated pest management, in which transgenic crops are strategically combined with rational pesticide use, may help to prevent H. armigera resistance acquisition in Bt cotton. In this study, we evaluated the toxicity of a novel insecticide (chlorantraniliprole) on Cry1Ac-susceptible and resistant individuals of H. armigera. More specifically, we assessed the effect of chlorantraniliprole on the activity of two enzymes and conducted laboratory bioassays to determine its toxicity on H. armigera larvae. Chlorantraniliprole increased esterase and glutathione-S-transferase activities in Cry1Ac susceptible and resistant populations of H. armigera. Cry1Ac resistant populations XJ-F (Cry1Ac resistance ratio 21.8-fold), XJ-10.0 (95.8-fold) and BTR (3536.5-fold) did not show cross-resistance to chlorantraniliprole, with LC₅₀ values of 0.0733 (μg/mL) in XJ-F, 0.0545 (μg/ml) in XJ-10.0 and 0.0731 (μg/mL) in BTR, which were close to that in the susceptible strain 96S (0.0954 μg/mL). Our work shows that chlorantraniliprole could be considered to be integrated in Bt cotton management schemes to delay the H. armigera resistance development.     

Esterases and resistance to synthetic pyrethroids in the Egyptian cotton leafworm

Esterases hydrolyzing α-naphthyl acetate (α-NA), β-naphthyl acetate (β-NA), and p-nitrophenyl acetate (p-NPA) were investigated colorimetrically in larval homogenates of synthetic pyrethroid susceptible (S) and resistant (R) strains of Spodoptera littoralis (Boised). The hydrolytic activity towards the three substrates in cybolt, decamethrin, and fenvalerate R strains were from 3 to 6.5 times as high as in the S strain. The increase in esterase activity was closely associated with the development of resistance in the R strains. DEF (S,S,S-tributyl phosphorotrithioate) proved to be an inhibitor for all esterases, with a particularly potent action on p-NPA-hydrolyzing enzymes. The inhibitory action was more pronounced in R strains than in the S strain. Pretreatment with DEF increased the toxicity of pyrethroid compounds in the R strains more than in the S strain and hence decreased the levels of resistance in these strains. This is evidence that the esterases contribute to the resistance against synthetic pyrethroids in S. littoralis larvae.     

荧光增白剂对Cry1Ac抗感棉铃虫围食膜的影响及增效作用

为了提高Bt的杀虫活性,运用扫描电镜、SDS-PAGE电泳和生物测定技术,研究了荧光增白剂FB28对棉铃虫Cry1Ac抗性和敏感品系围食膜的影响及对Cry1Ac杀虫蛋白的增效作用。结果表明,正常棉铃虫围食膜表面光滑致密,没有空洞和缝隙。用含1%FB28的人工饲料饲喂刚蜕皮的5龄棉铃虫幼虫2 h后,抗感棉铃虫围食膜表面均出现许多空洞,且敏感棉铃虫的空洞明显大于抗性棉铃虫;随着处理时间的延长,围食膜上的空洞逐渐变小,13 h后恢复正常。用1%FB28离体或活体处理抗、感品系棉铃虫,均可造成围食膜蛋白被降解。用1%FB28与Cry1Ac杀虫蛋白混合饲喂抗、感棉铃虫初孵幼虫,可明显提高棉铃虫的死亡率,且对抗性品系的增效作用明显大于敏感品系,对敏感和抗性品系棉铃虫的增效比分别为2.23和9.34;1%FB28还可以明显增加对抗、感品系3龄棉铃虫幼虫的生长抑制作用。     

昆虫病原线虫对小地老虎的致病力测定及防治效果

为探讨应用昆虫病原线虫防治小地老虎技术的可行性,采用培养皿滤纸法比较9个品系的昆虫病原线虫对小地老虎幼虫的致病力,同时通过盆栽试验验证了斯氏线虫属小卷蛾斯氏线虫Steinernema carpocapsae NC116品系、芫菁夜蛾斯氏线虫S.feltiae SF-SN品系和异小杆线虫属嗜菌异小杆线虫Heterorhabditis bacteriphora H06品系的保苗效果和防治效果,并测定了苦参碱与NC116品系混用对小地老虎3龄幼虫的联合作用效果。结果表明,NC116品系对小地老虎3龄幼虫致病力最高,其对3龄、4龄和5龄的LD50分别为2.4、7.5、和31.2条/头,表明随小地老虎幼虫龄期递增,其致病力下降。盆栽玉米苗上分别施用线虫100~200条/头时,对玉米保苗效果及对小地老虎3龄幼虫的控制效果依次为NC116H06SF-SN。0.8 mg/L苦参碱和NC116品系混用后,可使小地老虎3龄幼虫死亡率提高109.89%,二者表现增效作用。     

Malathion carboxylesterase enzymes in Anopheles arabiensis from Sudan

Malathion resistance in Anopheles arabiensis from Sudan is monofactorially inherited and is expressed in the adults but not in the larvae. The resistance is suppressed by the esterase synergist, triphenylphosphate. Semipurification of the soluble esterase enzymes by Sephadex G-25 and Sephacryl S-200 gel filtration revealed no difference between the enzymes of the resistant and susceptible strains with α- or β-naphthylacetate (NA) with a fixed substrate concentration in either the adults or larvae. However, with the malathion-specific assay a second peak of activity was observed in the adult resistant strain which was not present in either the larvae of this strain or the larvae and adults of the susceptible strain. A corresponding threefold difference in the K_m value for α-NA was also observed in the resistant adults over the range of this second peak, but there was no change in the K_m with β-NA.     

棉铃虫对Cry1Ac抗性的稳定性及其对适合度的影响

为明确棉铃虫Helicoverpa armigera（Hübner）对苏云金芽胞杆菌Bacillus thuringiensis（Bt）Cry1Ac毒蛋白抗性的稳定性及其适合度变化,利用生物测定的方法研究了Cry1Ac抗性品系棉铃虫转到正常饲料饲养后的抗性衰退及再次筛选后抗性的恢复情况,并比较了敏感、抗性和抗性衰退后各品系间的适合度差异。在失去选择压的情况下,高抗品系棉铃虫对Cry1Ac的抗性迅速衰退,经过4代后抗性水平由最初的3626.67倍下降到1436.67倍;到第12代时抗性水平已低于10倍,随后品系保持较稳定的低抗水平;当重新进行抗性再筛选时,其抗性水平可快速恢复,抗性倍数快速回升,5代后恢复到1123.33倍。与敏感品系相比,高抗棉铃虫品系的适合度明显降低,相对适合度仅为0.33,但转到正常饲料连续饲养14代后,棉铃虫适合度明显上升,相对适合度为0.87,主要表现为卵孵化率和幼虫存活率等显著提高。     

不同地区小菜蛾种群的抗药性及酯酶同工酶的研究

用淀粉凝胶电泳对中国 3个不同地理区域的小菜蛾种群和台湾敏感品系的抗性水平及酯酶同工酶进行了研究 ,结果发现 :生物测定显示 3个小菜蛾种群对杀虫双均没有明显的抗性 ;对阿维菌素的抗性分别为 1.2 1倍、4 .51倍和 1.2 5倍。在 Estα和 Estβ基因位点 ,北京种群中存在 11种同工酶 ,其中 4种为 α同工酶 ,7种 β/i>同工酶 ;河北种群中存在 3种 α同工酶 ,5种 β同工酶 ;云南种群中存在 3种 α同工酶 ,3种 β同工酶。 3个种群酯酶基因多态性的产生可能是携带不同抗性酯酶基因的小菜蛾被动运输的结果 ;杀虫双对于能引起酯酶活性升高的杀虫药剂可能无交互抗性。     

转基因棉和常规棉叶片对抗Cry1Ac近等基因系棉铃虫生长发育的影响

利用室内饲喂法,以抗Cry1Ac近等基因系棉铃虫为材料,比较转基因棉花33B和SGK321及其对照亲本DP5415和石远321对抗、感棉铃虫生长发育的影响。结果表明,抗性棉铃虫在取食常规棉叶后表现出一定的适合度代价。取食DP5415和石远321两种常规棉花后,抗性品系棉铃虫的幼虫存活率显著低于敏感品系,取食33B和SGK321两种转基因棉花的抗性棉铃虫,不仅其幼虫存活率显著高于敏感品系,而且致死中时间也比敏感品系延长。取食9天后,抗性品系在常规棉花石远321和DP5415上发育到3龄和4龄幼虫的比例显著低于敏感品系,取食33B和SGK321转基因棉花的抗性品系发育到3龄幼虫的比例均显著高于敏感品系。抗性品系在常规棉上的蛹重均显著低于敏感品系,部分取食转基因棉花的抗性品系棉铃虫可以化蛹,而敏感品系不能在转基因棉花上化蛹。     

The biochemical nature of malathion resistance in Anopheles stephensi from Pakistan

Malathion resistance in Anopheles stephensi from Pakistan was synergized by triphenyl phosphate, primarily a carboxylesterase inhibitor. There was a slight degree of antagonism with piperonyl butoxide. The major metabolite of malathion in larvae of both the resistant and susceptible strains was malathion monocarboxylic acid. Resistant larvae produced about twice as much of this product as the susceptible larvae. This suggests that a qualitative or a quantitative change in a carboxylesterase enzyme may be the basis of malathion resistance in this strain. Analysis of general esterase levels to α- and β-naphthyl acetate showed that there was no quantitative change in the amount of carboxylesterase enzyme present in the resistant strain as compared to the susceptible.     

Resistance mechanisms and associated mutations in acetylcholinesterase genes in Sitobion avenae (Fabricius)

Wheat aphid, Sitobion avenae (fabricius), is one of the most important wheat pests and has been reported to be resistant to commonly used insecticides in China. To determine the resistance mechanism, the resistant and susceptible strains were developed in laboratory and comparably studied. A bioassay revealed that the resistant strain showed high resistance to pirimicarb (RR: 161.8), moderate reistance to omethoate (32.5) and monocrotophos (33.5), and low resistance to deltamethrin (6.3) and thiodicarb (5.5). A biochemistry analysis showed that both strains had similar glutathione-S-transferase (GST) activity, but the resistant strain had 3.8-fold higher esterase activity, and its AChE was insensitive to this treatment. The I₅₀ increased by 25.8-, 10.7-, and 10.4-folds for pirimicarb, omethoate, and monocrotophos, respectively, demonstrating that GST had not been involved in the resistance of S. avenae. The enhanced esterase contributed to low level resistance to all the insecticides tested, whereas higher resistance to pirimicarb, omethoate, and monocrotophos mainly depended on AChE insensitivity. However, the AChE of the resistant strain was still sensitive to thiodicarb (1.7-fold). Thus, thiodicarb could be used as substitute for control of the resistant S. avenae in this case. Furthermore, the two different AChE genes cloned from different resistant and susceptible individuals were also compared. Two mutations, L436(336)S in Sa.Ace1 and W516(435)R in Sa.Ace2, were found consistently associated with the insensitivity of AChE. They were thought to be the possible resistance mutations, but further work is needed to confirm this hypothesis.     

Beta-cypermethrin resistance associated with high carboxylesterase activities in a strain of house fly, Musca domestica (Diptera: Muscidae)

A housefly strain, originally collected in 1998 from a dump in Beijing, was selected with beta-cypermethrin to generate a resistant strain (CRR) in order to characterize the resistance and identify the possible mechanisms involved in the pyrethroid resistance. The resistance was increased from 2.56- to 4419.07-fold in the CRR strain after 25 consecutive generations of selection compared to a laboratory susceptible strain (CSS). The CRR strain also developed different levels of cross-resistance to various insecticides within and outside the pyrethroid group such as abamectin. Synergists, piperonyl butoxide (PBO) and S,S,S-tributyl phosphorotrithioate (DEF), increased beta-cypermethrin toxicity 21.88- and 364.29-fold in the CRR strain as compared to 15.33- and 2.35-fold in the CSS strain, respectively. Results of biochemical assays revealed that carboxylesterase activities and maximal velocities to five naphthyl-substituted substrates in the CRR strain were significantly higher than that in the CSS strain, however, there was no significant difference in glutathione S-transferase activity and the level of total cytochrome P450 between the CRR and CSS strains. Therefore, our studies suggested that carboxylesterase play an important role in beta-cypermethrin resistance in the CRR strain.     

药剂对小菜蛾抗性及敏感品系乙酰胆碱酯酶抑制作用比较

采用浸叶法测定了云南通海、元谋和澜沧的小菜蛾plutella xylostella田间种群对常用杀虫剂的抗药性。结果表明,云南上述地区小菜蛾田间种群对各类杀虫剂均产生了不同程度的抗性。对有机磷类药剂的抗药性为1.74~31.1倍;对菊酯类药剂的抗药性为7.41~764倍;对阿维菌素类药剂则产生了 5.60~4.06×104倍的抗性。通过离体和活体试验测定了药剂对小菜蛾头部乙酰胆碱酯酶(AChE)的抑制作用。敌敌畏和灭多威对通海抗性品系AChE离体和活体内的抑制中浓度(I50)分别是敏感品系的209、26.5倍和2.21、2.16倍;敌敌畏对通海小菜蛾种群的离体和活体内抑制中时间(IT50)小于敏感品系,分别是敏感品系的0.32和0.17倍;而灭多威对通海小菜蛾种群的离体和活体内抑制中时间(IT50)则大于敏感品系,分别是敏感品系的1.37和1.74倍。     

Cry1Ac的绿色荧光蛋白GFP标记及其在棉铃虫幼虫中肠的定位分布

为了明确Cry1Ac蛋白在棉铃虫体内与中肠组织的相互作用,采用重叠PCR方法将Bt-cry1Ac基因和绿色荧光蛋白GFP基因融合,构建含Cry1Ac毒蛋白和绿色荧光蛋白GFP原核表达载体,并在大肠杆菌大量表达。利用荧光显微镜观察发现,表达Cry1Ac-GFP融合蛋白的大肠杆菌在蓝光激发下发出绿色荧光。将含有融合蛋白的菌液拌入人工饲料饲喂3龄棉铃虫幼虫96h,取棉铃虫幼虫中肠做冰冻切片并在荧光显微镜下观察。结果显示,取食含有Cry1Ac-GFP融合蛋白饲料的棉铃虫幼虫中肠能够发出强烈荧光。比较Cry1Ac杀虫蛋白敏感和抗性棉铃虫幼虫中肠的发光部位,敏感棉铃虫幼虫的中肠围食膜已经消失,肠壁细胞发出强烈的荧光,而抗性棉铃虫的围食膜较健全并发出荧光。     

Toxicological and biochemical characterization of coumaphos resistance in the San Roman strain of Boophilus microplus (Acari: Ixodidae)

The San Roman strain of the southern cattle tick, Boophilus microplus, collected from Mexico was previously reported to have a high level of resistance to the organophosphate acaricide coumaphos. An oxidative detoxification mechanism was suspected to contribute to coumaphos resistance in this tick strain, as coumaphos bioassay with piperonyl butoxide (PBO) on larvae of this resistant strain resulted in enhanced coumaphos toxicity, while coumaphos assays with PBO resulted in reduced toxicity of coumaphos in a susceptible reference strain. In this study, we further analyzed the mechanism of oxidative metabolic detoxification with synergist bioassays of coroxon, the toxic metabolite of coumaphos, and the mechanism of target-site insensitivity with acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibition kinetics assays. Bioassays of coroxon with PBO resulted in synergism of coroxon toxicity in both the San Roman and the susceptible reference strains. The synergism ratio of PBO on coroxon in the resistant strain was 4.5 times that of the susceptible strain. The results suggested that the cytP450-based metabolic detoxification existed in both resistant and susceptible strains, but its activity was significantly enhanced in the resistant strain. Comparisons of AChE activity and inhibition kinetics by coroxon in both susceptible and resistant strains revealed that the resistant San Roman strain had an insensitive AChE, with a reduced phosphorylation rate, resulting in a reduced bimolecular reaction constant. These data indicate a mechanism of coumaphos resistance in the San Roman strain that involves both insensitive AChE and enhanced cytP450-based metabolic detoxification.     

Delayed cuticular penetration and enhanced metabolism of deltamethrin in pyrethroid-resistant strains of Helicoverpa armigera from China and Pakistan

The penetration and metabolism of [14C]deltamethrin was studied in susceptible and resistant Chinese and Pakistani strains of Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner), which were resistant to deltamethrin by 330- and 670-fold, respectively. The penetration of deltamethrin into resistant individuals was significantly slower than into susceptible individuals over a 24-h period. The time taken for 50% penetration of the applied deltamethrin was 1 h for the susceptible strain and 6 h for both of the resistant strains. The internal radioactivity was reduced by the larvae of resistant strains much faster than by the susceptible larvae. After 48 h, 40% of the penetrated deltamethrin was still inside the larvae of the susceptible strain, in comparison with 1.5-5% in the Pakistani strain and 8-14% in the Chinese strain. Both of the resistant strains produced methanol-soluble and water-soluble metabolites, but the susceptible strain produced methanol-soluble metabolites only. By 12, 24 and 48 h after dosing, the amount of methanol-soluble metabolites excreted by the resistant strains was almost double that of the susceptible strain. Both of the resistant strains also excreted 5-7% of the penetrated dose as a water-soluble metabolite after 48 h. In comparison with the Chinese strain, the Pakistani strain exhibited slower penetration, lower internal content and faster excretion of deltamethrin, which correlated with the higher resistance of the Pakistani strain. These findings show that the resistant Pakistani and Chinese strains of H. armigera possess mechanisms of reduced cuticular penetration and enhanced metabolism of deltamethrin and perhaps other pyrethroids.     

Mutated sodium channel genes and elevated monooxygenases are found in pyrethroid resistant populations of Sri Lankan malaria vectors

The present status of pyrethroid resistance in vectors of malaria; Anopheles culicifacies and Anopheles subpictus, was tested in two malarious Districts, Anuradhapura and Trincomalee, of Sri Lanka. Both species were resistant to permethrin and susceptible to cypermethrin and cyfluthrin. An. subpictus were resistant to deltamethrin. λ-Cyhalothrin and etofenprox resistance was shown only by Anuradhapura An. subpictus. Although there were no differences among the populations for esterase and glutathione S-transferase activities, increased monooxygenase levels were found among Trincomalee populations. The voltage-gated sodium channel gene, the target site gene of pyrethroids, was partially sequenced to screen for mutations previously associated with insecticide resistance. The classic leucine to phenylalanine substitution, TTA to TTT, was detected in An. subpictus. It appears that both kdr type and monooxygenase resistance underlie pyrethroid resistance in these two malaria vectors of Sri Lanka.