Green peach aphid,Myzus persicae (Hemiptera: Aphididae), reproduction during exposure to sublethal concentrations of imidacloprid and azadirachtin

BACKGROUND: Resurgence of insect pests following insecticide applications is often attributed to natural enemy disturbance, but hormesis could be an alternative or additional mechanism. Green peach aphid, Myzus persicae (Sulzer), is an important insect pest of many crops worldwide that may be exposed to sublethal insecticide concentrations over time. Here, the hypothesis that exposure to low concentrations of imidacloprid and azadirachtin can induce hormetic responses in M. persicae is tested in the laboratory. RESULTS: When insects were exposed to potato leaf discs dipped in sublethal concentrations of insecticide, almost all measured endpoints—adult longevity, F1 production, F1 survival and F2 production—were affected, and a statistically significant (P < 0.05) stimulatory response was recorded for F2 production following exposure to imidacloprid. No other measures for hormesis were statistically significant, but other trends of hormetic response were consistently observed. CONCLUSIONS: Given that variable distribution and degradation of insecticides in the field would result in a wide range of concentrations over time and space, these laboratory experiments suggest that exposure to sublethal concentrations of imidacloprid and azadirachtin could stimulate reproduction in M. persicae. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry     

Response of a red clone of Myzus persicae (Hemiptera: Aphididae) to sublethal concentrations of imidacloprid in the laboratory and greenhouse

BACKGROUND: Pest resurgence following a pesticide application may occur owing to a stimulatory (hormetic) response to sublethal insecticide concentrations. The objective of the present study was to examine the potential for a greenhouse‐derived red clone of Myzus persicae to exhibit resurgence owing to a hormetic response following a systemic imidacloprid treatment in a bell pepper greenhouse. RESULTS: No differences in mortality and fecundity were observed among apterous adults exposed to sublethal imidacloprid concentrations on excised pepper leaves fed aqueous solutions of imidacloprid. Survival of first‐generation progeny was negatively affected by imidacloprid exposure, yet surviving progeny exhibited no differences in development rates or fecundity from progeny of adults unexposed to imidacloprid. Aphid mortality declined most rapidly in clip cages on pepper leaves at the top of the pepper canopy as compared with leaves present at the middle or bottom of the pepper canopy. CONCLUSION: Imidacloprid decays rapidly in mature pepper plants, resulting in sublethal concentrations in the upper canopy in as little as 4 weeks. Sublethal insecticide concentrations have been implicated in the resurgence of pest populations; however, exposure to sublethal doses of imidacloprid are unlikely to result in pesticide‐induced resurgence of the M. persicae aphid clone examined in this study. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry     

Investigating nicotinic acetylcholine receptor expression in neonicotinoid resistant Myzus persicae FRC

The peach–potato aphid Myzus persicae is a pest of many commercial crops due to its polyphagous nature of feeding and has a well-documented history of acquiring resistance to insecticides. In 2009 a strain (M. persicae FRC) emerged in southern France with a point mutation (R81T) at the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR), the target site for neonicotinoids such as imidacloprid. This point mutation was associated with the loss of the high affinity imidacloprid binding site (pM Kd), with the single remaining binding site (low nM Kd) highly overexpressed compared to laboratory controls (Bass et al., 2011 [1]). Here we report that after 2 years of continuous selection in the glass house environment with neonicotinoids, the total level of IMD-sensitive nAChRs (low nM Kd) in M. persicae FRC is now comparable to laboratory controls (pM and low nM Kd). Interestingly, despite this large reduction in IMD-sensitive nAChRs, this was not associated with any significant alteration in NNIC-lethality. Additionally, sustained absence of neonicotinoid-selection did not alter nAChR protein levels. We suggest that alterations in nAChR protein expression level described in the original characterisation of the field-isolated M. persicae FRC is unlikely to have been a direct consequence of the R81T mutation. Rather, we speculate that nAChR expression in aphids is likely influenced by as yet unknown conditions in the natural field environment that are absent in the laboratory setting.     

Synergistic effect of imidacloprid combined with synergistic agents (Beichuang,Jiexiaoli) on Myzus persicae (Hemiptera: Aphididae)

Myzus persicae is a well known aphid pest, which can transport plant viruses to plants of the nightshade/potato family, namely the Solanaceae, and other food crops. Our aim was to explore the effects of imidacloprid combined with synergistic agents (Beichuang and Jiexiaoli) on Myzus persicae. Different concentrations of imidacloprid combined with synergistic agents were used to treat M. persicae. Biological activity of M. persicae was analyzed under indoor conditions, and the control efficiency of the admixture was determined through field experiments. The penetration rate of the admixture on tobacco leaf and M. persicae was analyzed, and the liquid surface tension and contact angle was measured. Imidacloprid combined with Beichuang and Jiexiaoli showed significant synergistic effects with high control efficacy. Beichuang and Jiexiaoli significantly improved the penetration of imidacloprid into the cuticle of tobacco leaves and the insect body wall. The surface tension and contact angles were abated by synergists. The combination of imidacloprid with Beichuang and Jiexiaoli showed a significant synergistic effect, which can be used for decreasing the dosage of imidacloprid and improving its long-term control efficacy.     

Lethal and Sublethal Effects of Imidacloprid on Nicotine-Tolerant Myzus nicotianae and Myzus persicae

Bioassays of nicotine and imidacloprid against clones of Myzus persicae (Sulzer) and Myzus nicotianae (Blackman) from around the world demonstrated that some had low levels of resistance to both compounds. This was expressed not only as a reduced mortality, but more markedly as differential inhibition of feeding by imidacloprid concentrations in the parts per billion range. Such concentrations also reduced aphid fecundity by inhibiting the production and viability of nymphs, and this effect was more marked for susceptible aphids than for those showing reduced direct lethal and antifeedant effects.     

Behaviour modifying effects of low systemic concentrations of imidacloprid on Myzus persicae with special reference to an antifeeding response

With a combination of biological, analytical, electrophysiological, and video-optical methods, it was possible to show that low concentrations of the new chloronicotinyl insecticide, imidacloprid, strongly affect the behaviour of Myzus persicae (Sulz.), leading eventually to the death of the aphids. Tests to elucidate the biological properties were performed under laboratory conditions with cabbage leaf petioles placed in insecticidal solutions over different periods of time. LC_15(24h) values were considered as low concentrations and calculated for imidacloprid and pirimicarb, respectively. Imidacloprid at low concentrations depressed the honeydew excretion of apterous adults of M. persicae by almost 95% within 24 h without affecting the vitality of the majority of aphids, whereas, at equitoxic concentrations, pirimicarb showed much weaker effects on honeydew excretion, which strongly coincided with mortality. In choice experiments with alate morphs of M. persicae over 48 h, their larvae almost always occurred on the untreated control leaf, and were not found on the leaf which was treated systemically with low concentrations of imidacloprid. Apterous aphids placed on cabbage leaves systemically treated with low concentrations of imidacloprid showed nearly the same decrease in weight as untreated starving aphids, suggesting that their death was caused by starvation. Aphids that were moved from imidacloprid-treated to untreated leaves after 24 h began feeding on the latter and showed a steady increase in weight and honeydew production. This suggests that the behavioural response is reversible. Aphids on pirimicarb-treated (equitoxic dose) leaves showed no decrease in weight. Electrical penetration graphs revealed that M. persicae on artificial membranes containing imidacloprid probed more often before feeding than aphids on control sachets. Time-lapse videofilming of apterous adults placed on cabbage leaves revealed a migration from the leaf treated with low concentrations of imidacloprid to an untreated leaf. From the results of these experiments and the observed symptomatology it is possible to postulate two different and dose-dependent modes of action of imidacloprid on M. persicae: (1) the well-known mode of action with visually obvious irreversible symptoms (paralysis, tremor, uncoordinated leg-movement) at field rates, and (2) the reversible starvation response as an antifeedant effect, which is not coupled with typical symptoms of neuronal disorder, at lower concentrations.     

Using bioassays with the green peach aphid (Myzus persicae) to determine residual activity of two systemically soil-applied neonicotinoid insecticides in field-grown tobacco

Duration of systemic pesticide activity under field conditions has wide implications for pest management. Our aim was to determine the duration of activity of systemic insecticides commonly used in cultivated tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) by measuring the levels of insect infestations on field plots and effects on reproduction and survival of the green peach aphid (Myzus persicae) in controlled bioassays using field grown leaves. Plants were treated with different concentrations of two systemic neonicotinoid pesticides, imidacloprid and thiamethoxam, and grown in small field plots. Our results show that these materials are effective under field conditions against aphids for at least 13 weeks after transplant. Pesticides also affected aphid reproduction and nymph survival in bioassays, although some aphids survived on pesticide-treated leaves. We also observed that leaf age affected aphid survival. We showed that neonicotinoids were very effective against M. persicae, aphids are a useful organism to assess pesticide efficacy early in the growing season, but plant characteristics are more important than pesticide concentration in the second half of the growing season.     

螺虫乙酯对B型烟粉虱毒力及部分生物学参数的影响

为系统评价新药剂螺虫乙酯(spirotetramat)对B型烟粉虱(Bemisia tabaci biotype B)的生物活性及生物学参数的影响,采用浸渍法测定了螺虫乙酯及对照药剂吡虫啉对B型烟粉虱各个虫态的室内毒力、成虫寿命、产卵量及所产卵孵化率的影响。结果表明,螺虫乙酯对2龄若虫毒力最高,LC₅₀为4.07 mg/L,为吡虫啉的2.73倍,对卵及成虫毒力较低,且显著低于吡虫啉;12.5 mg/L螺虫乙酯处理后,成虫寿命为17.3天,较空白对照显著缩短,吡虫啉与空白对照无显著差异;12.5 mg/L螺虫乙酯处理后平均产卵量为5.0粒,所产卵的平均孵化率为3.23%,显著低于空白对照和吡虫啉处理,吡虫啉与空白对照无显著差异;100 mg/L螺虫乙酯处理24 h后对烟粉虱成虫驱避率为52%,驱避效果较差。     

Demography and population projection of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Myzus persicae</Emphasis> (Sulz.) (Hemiptera: Aphididae) on five pepper (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Capsicum annuum</Emphasis> L.) cultivars

The green peach aphid, Myzus persicae (Sulzer) (Hemiptera: Aphididae), is a major pest of pepper. In this study, we collected data on the development, survival, fecundity, and proportion of apterous and alate forms of green peach aphid reared on five commercial pepper cultivars (Amiral, Erciyes, Mert, Mertcan, and Naz) at 25?±?1°C, 60?±?5% RH, and a photoperiod of 16:8 (L:D) h. We analyzed the life history raw data by using the age-stage, two-sex life table. The shortest development time (6.66 days) and highest fecundity (62.68 individuals) occurred on the Erciyes cultivar. The highest intrinsic rate of increase (r?=?0.332 d^?1), finite rate of increase (λ?=?1.394 d^?1), net reproductive rate (R₀?=?62.7 offspring) and shortest mean generation time (T?=?12.45 d) also occurred on the Erciyes cultivar; while the lower fitness occurred on the Amiral, Mertcan and Naz cultivars. Our results compared differences in the population growth rate of M. persicae on different pepper cultivars. This information will be useful to individuals working in pest management programs particularly those involving M. persicae.     

新疆北疆马铃薯甲虫成虫对新烟碱类杀虫剂的敏感性变化

采用点滴法于2009和2010年监测了新疆维吾尔自治区北疆马铃薯甲虫Leptinotarsa decemlineata 9个田间种群成虫对新烟碱类杀虫剂吡虫啉、啶虫脒、噻虫嗪和噻虫啉的敏感性变化,发现其对吡虫啉和噻虫嗪的敏感性逐年降低。2009年监测的6个种群中有3个对啶虫脒和噻虫嗪低抗(抗性倍数5.0~10.0);2010年监测的6个种群全部对噻虫嗪产生了抗性,其中中抗(抗性倍数10.1~40.0)和低抗种群各3个。噻虫嗪与高效氯氟氰菊酯可能存在交互抗性。     

Development of a high‐throughput real‐time PCR assay for the detection of the R81T mutation in the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor of neonicotinoid‐resistant Myzus persicae

BACKGROUND: Myzus persicae is a globally important aphid pest that is mainly controlled through the application of chemical insecticides. Recently, a clone of M. persicae exhibiting control‐compromising levels of resistance to neonicotinoid insecticides was described. The resistance of this clone was associated with reduced affinity of imidacloprid for the target site (the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor) as a result of mutation of a key amino acid residue (R81T) in the loop D region of a nAChR β1 subunit. The potent levels of resistance conferred by this mechanism are cause for considerable concern, and the frequency and distribution of the mutation in worldwide populations of M. persicae require careful monitoring. In this study, a high‐throughput assay has been developed that allows detection of the mutation in individual aphids. RESULTS: A real‐time TaqMan assay to detect the R81T substitution was developed that proved to be sensitive and specific in tests of analytical sensitivity and in a blind genotyping trial of DNA extracted from individual aphids comprising the three possible genotypes. The assay was then used to examine the frequency of the R81T mutation in aphids collected and stored in ethanol from peach orchards in southern France. The R81T frequency varied from 33 to 100% in seven populations from the department of Gard, France. CONCLUSIONS: This study describes a rapid and sensitive assay that very effectively detects the R81T mutation in individual aphids. The results also have practical significance for the control of M. persicae in southern France and provide contemporary data to inform current resistance management strategies. Copyright © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry     

Two cytochrome P450 genes are involved in imidacloprid resistance in field populations of the whitefly, Bemisia tabaci, in China

The sweet potato whitefly, Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) (Hemiptera:Aleyrodidae), is an invasive and damaging pest of field crops worldwide. The neonicotinoid insecticide imidacloprid has been widely used to control this pest. We assessed the species composition (B vs. Q), imidacloprid resistance, and association between imidacloprid resistance and the expression of five P450 genes for 14–17 B. tabaci populations in 12 provinces in China. Fifteen of 17 populations contained only B. tabaci Q, and two populations contained both B and Q. Seven of 17 populations exhibited moderate to high resistance to imidacloprid, and eight populations exhibited low resistance to imidacloprid, compared with the most susceptible field WHHB population. In a study of 14 of the populations, resistance level was correlated with the expression of the P450 genes CYP6CM1 and CYP4C64 but not with the expression of CYP6CX1, CYP6CX4, or CYP6DZ7. This study indicates that B. tabaci Q has a wider distribution in China than previously reported. Resistance to imidacloprid in field populations of B. tabaci is associated with the increased expression of two cytochrome P450 genes (CYP6CM1 and CYP4C64).     

Methoxyfenozide and pyriproxifen alter the cellular immune reactions of Eurygaster integriceps Puton (Hemiptera: Scutelleridae) against Beauveria bassiana

Effects of the two insect growth regulators (IGRs) methoxyfenozide, 20-hydroxyecdysone (20E) agonist, and pyriproxifen, Juvenile hormone (JH) agonist, were examined on the cellular immune responses of the Sunn pest, Eurygaster integriceps versus the entomopathogenic fungus Beauveria bassiana. The simultaneous treatment with the IGRs and the fungal spores altered haemocyte count (total and differentiate), nodulation response and phenoloxidase (PO) activity in a dose- and time-dependent manner. It was observed that different concentrations of methoxyfenozide increased total and differentiate haemocyte numbers as well as B. bassiana-induced nodulation response. In contrast with the JH agonist, pyriproxifen significantly decreased total and differentiate haemocyte numbers and inhibited nodule formation in E. integriceps adults. The 20E agonist displayed major effects when injected at the doses 2.79 and 5.59 μg/mg adult. In contrast, injecting adults by pyriproxifen significantly impaired their ability to raise an efficacious response against the fungal spores. The ability of the two IGR analogues to interfere with activity of the PO system in haemolymph of E. integriceps adults was also investigated 6 h after injection by fungal spores. Methoxyfenozide had an excitatory effect on PO activity when the 5.59 μg/mg concentration was used against adults. Conversely, pyriproxifen had an inhibitory effect on PO activity when used at 1.49 μg/mg adult concentration. These findings demonstrate that pyriproxifen may interfere with cell-mediated immunity of E. integriceps. So, pyriproxifen could be a good candidate for the integrated control of the Sunn pest.     

Effectiveness of native parasitoids of Myzus persicae in greenhouse environments in India

Myzus persicae (Sulzer) is an economically important agricultural pest with over 500 known host plants in the world. The present study recorded the major parasitoids found parasitizing M. persicae on sweet pepper (Capsicum annuum [L.]) crops in greenhouses in Himachal Pradesh, India. Three species of hymenopteran parasitoids were reared from M. persicae from this source: Aphelinus asychis Walker (Aphelinidae), Aphidius matricariae Haliday (Braconidae), and Aphidius ervi (Haliday) (Braconidae), with parasitism rates per sample date ranging from 2.3–38.6%, 4.8–58.2%, and 2.9–28.4%, respectively, during 2011–2012. This is the first report of parasitoids associated with M. persicae in greenhouse environments in India. The present findings suggest that the management of M. persicae could be possible with the addition of augmentative releases of these parasitoids, which should help reduce pesticide use in Indian vegetable production greenhouses.     

Fitness cost, cross resistance and realized heritability of resistance to imidacloprid in Spodoptera litura (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

Imidacloprid has been used as a key insecticide for controlling sucking insect pests of cotton, whereas Spodoptera litura also has been indirectly exposed to this insecticide in Pakistan. To evaluate the risk of resistance evolution and to develop a better resistance management strategy, a field collected population was selected with imidacloprid in the laboratory. Thereafter, fitness cost, realized heritability and cross resistance of imidacloprid resistance in S. litura were investigated. After 14 generations of selection with imidacloprid, S. litura developed a 137.48-fold resistance to the insecticide. Bioassay revealed that this strain showed cross-resistance to acetamiprid (RR 8.52) and a little to lamdacyhalothrin (1.92) but negative cross-resistance was found to methomyl (−0.19). The resistant strain had a relative fitness of 0.38, with substantially lower rates of larval survival, larval duration, male pupal duration, development time, emergence rate of healthy adults, fecundity, hatchability, and prolonged larval and pupal duration. Mean relative growth rate of the larvae, intrinsic rate of population increase, and biotic potential was lower for the selected populations. The estimated realized heritability (h²) of imidacloprid resistance was 0.15 in the resistant strain of S. litura. Development of the resistance may cost significant fitness for the resistant population. This study provided valuable information for further understanding the impact of imidacloprid resistance on physiological parameters of S. litura and for facilitating the development of resistance management strategies.     

Sublethal effects of four insecticides on the reproduction and wing formation of brown planthopper, Nilaparvata lugens

BACKGROUND: The brown planthopper (BPH), Nilaparvata lugens Stål, is a major rice pest in many parts of Asia. Neonicotinoids such as imidacloprid and dinotefuran are widely used for control of this pest, and resistance to these insecticides has developed in recent years. This pest has also been widely exposed to triazophos and fenvalerate, although these insecticides are not used for the control of the pest directly. Here, the effects of sublethal doses of these four insecticides on the reproduction and wing formation in BPH were examined. RESULTS: Imidacloprid and dinotefuran reduced the fecundity of BPH to 68.8% and 52.4% in macropterous families, and to 57.9% and 43.1% in brachypterous families, when compared with the untreated controls. By contrast, triazophos and fenvalerate increased fecundity. In both macropterous and brachypterous families, sublethal doses of imidacloprid and dinotefuran showed significant induction of macropterous adults. CONCLUSION: Imidacloprid and dinotefuran could reduce the fecundity of BPH to a significant extent, demonstrating further activity against this pest in addition to their direct toxicity. The significant induction of macropterous adults by sublethal doses of imidacloprid and dinotefuran is of importance in the management of this pest, particularly in the areas of predicting the size of emigrating populations and the numbers of insects likely to occur in newly colonized areas. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry     

稻虱缨小蜂对吡虫啉处理的水稻植株挥发物的行为反应

利用"Y"型嗅觉仪测定稻虱缨小蜂对吡虫啉处理的水稻植株挥发物的行为反应,并通过GC-MS对挥发物组分进行了定性和定量分析.行为测试结果表明:吡虫啉和施用了吡虫啉的不同水稻品种挥发物对稻虱缨小蜂的寄主选择行为无明显影响.稻虱缨小蜂在不同浓度吡虫啉处理的水稻植株之间表现出明显的嗅觉偏好.当褐飞虱密度为10头/苗时,与高浓度吡虫啉处理相比,低浓度吡虫啉处理植株释放的挥发物引诱到了更多的稻虱缨小蜂(施药5天除外).GC-MS分析发现:与对照植株释放的挥发物相比,吡虫啉处理的稻株挥发物组分种类不变;吡虫啉浓度不同导致水杨酸甲酯等8种组分的相对含量明显不同;同时一些组分的相对含量因吡虫啉浓度与水稻品种、褐飞虱密度及施药天数等因子的互作发生了明显改变.     

桃蚜体内次生共生菌沙雷氏菌对宿主抵御寄生蜂和高温胁迫的影响

为明确桃蚜Myzus persicae体内次生共生菌沙雷氏菌Serratia symbiotica对宿主抵抗不良环境的影响,利用叶碟法测定短翅蚜小蜂Aphelinus asychi对自然感染沙雷氏菌桃蚜、自然未感染沙雷氏菌桃蚜和人工感染沙雷氏菌桃蚜的寄生特性和取食特性,并测定烟蚜茧蜂Aphidius gifuensis对这3种处理桃蚜的寄生特性及这3种处理桃蚜经高温胁迫后的生长繁殖特性。结果显示,短翅蚜小蜂在人工感染沙雷氏菌桃蚜上的产卵率比在自然未感染沙雷氏菌桃蚜上的下降近1/2,羽化率下降1/3左右,致死率、取食率、僵蚜率均无显著差异;烟蚜茧蜂对这3种处理桃蚜的致死率、过寄生率、僵蚜率及其产卵率和羽化率等均无显著差异;这3种处理桃蚜的2龄若蚜经高温胁迫后,发育时间和寿命均显著延长,开始产蚜时间明显推迟,繁殖力和日繁殖率显著降低,繁殖历期无明显变化;高温胁迫后,人工感染沙雷氏菌桃蚜比自然未感染沙雷氏菌桃蚜开始产蚜时间提前3.9 d,繁殖力增加7.0头。表明人工感染沙雷氏菌可以提高桃蚜对短翅蚜小蜂和高温胁迫的防御作用,对烟蚜茧蜂的寄生无明显效果。     

Characterisation of the relationship between binding sites for imidacloprid and other nicotinic ligands in insects

Radioligand binding studies using the neurotoxins α-bungarotoxin, epibatidine, imidacloprid (IMI) and methyllycaconitine reveal heterogeneity at the level of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) in membranes from the peach potato aphid Myzus persicae (Sulzer) and further suggest the presence of more than one ligand binding site per nAChR. These sites are able to interact allosterically with each other. Of particular interest, [³H]IMI has over an order of magnitude higher affinity in membranes of hemipteran pest species than in non-hemipteran insects, which may help explain why IMI is particularly effective for the control of sucking pests.