Resistance of Bemisia tabaci (Homoptera: Aleyrodidae) to insecticides in southern Spain with special reference to neonicotinoids

The tobacco whitefly, Bemisia tabaci Gennadius (Homoptera: Aleyrodidae) which occurs in various parts of the world, has developed a high degree of resistance against several chemical classes of insecticide, including organophosphates, carbamates, pyrethroids, insect growth regulators and chlorinated hydrocarbons. The present studies were done in order to monitor the susceptibility of whitefly populations in southern Spain to insecticides commonly used there. Systemic bioassays using Spanish field populations of B tabaci collected in 1994, 1996 and 1998 indicated an increase, albeit a slow one, in resistance to imidacloprid over this period. Comparative studies of other neonicotinoids using the same bioassay revealed a high degree of cross‐resistance to acetamiprid and thiamethoxam. Leaf‐dip bioassays with adult females from these populations revealed a high level of resistance to cyfluthrin, endosulfan, monocrotophos, methamidophos, and pymetrozine, each at 200 mg litre⁻¹. Buprofezin and pyriproxyfen were tested against second‐instar nymphs and eggs, respectively. Buprofezin also showed a lower efficacy against ESP‐98, a strain of B tabaci received from Almeria in 1998, but pyriproxyfen resistance was not obvious when tested against eggs of strain ESP‐98. Field trials in 1998 revealed good efficacy of imidacloprid in one farm in the Almeria region and two greenhouses in Murcia and Sevilla, but a loss of activity by imidacloprid in another farm in the Almeria region. Cross‐resistance between imidacloprid and thiamethoxam was also confirmed under field conditions. © 2000 Society of Chemical Industry     

Effect of foliar applications of some insecticides onBemisia tabaci, predators and parasitoids: Implications in its management in Pakistan

Three experiments were carried out during three consecutive years to evaluate 19 insecticides and 12 tank mixtures of different groups of insecticides against the whiteflyBemisia tabaci and its predators and parasitoids under field conditions in cotton. In the first experiment, the whitefly population was lower in treatments with thiacloprid and higher in those with black warrant (a.i. alcohol) and cypermethrin; the number of predators was higher with Agri-50 and spinosad and lowest with cypermethrin, whereas percent parasitism was higher with thiacloprid and lower with methamidophos. In the second experiment, the whitefly population was lower in treatments with buprofezin, pyriproxyfen and diafenthiuron and higher in those with endosulfan, imidacloprid and thiamethoxam; the number of predators was higher with pyriproxyfen and lower with thiamethoxam, whereas percent parasitism was higher with pyriproxyfen and lower with thiamethoxam. In the third experiment, the whitefly population was lower in a treatment mixture with buprofezin + fenpropathrin and higher in that with thiamethoxam + chlorpyrifos; the number of predators was higher with buprofezin + fenpropathrin and lower with deltamethrin + triazophos and deltamethrin + chlorpyrifos, whereas percent parasitism was higher with the mixture of pyriproxyfen + chlorpyrifos and lower in imidacloprid + chlorpyrifos, betacyfluthrin + triazophos, and deltamethrin + triazophos. Effective use of these insecticides to manage whitefly infestations and to save predators and parasitoids is discussed. http:www.phytoparasitica.org posting August 7, 2008.     

Toxicological and mechanistic studies on neonicotinoid cross resistance in Q-type Bemisia tabaci (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae)

The tobacco whitefly, Bemisia tabaci Gennadius (Homoptera: Aleyrodidae) is a serious pest in numerous cropping systems and has developed a high degree of resistance against several chemical classes of insecticides. One of the latest group of insecticides introduced to the market were the neonicotinoids (chloronicotinyls), acting agonistically on insect nicotinic acetylcholine receptors. Resistance to neonicotinoid insecticides has recently been shown to occur, especially in Q-type B tabaci in some places in Almeria, Spain, whereas control of B-type B tabaci in many other intense cropping systems worldwide has remained on high levels. Our study revealed that neonicotinoid-resistant Q-type strains from Almeria were often more than 100-fold less susceptible to thiamethoxam, acetamiprid and imidacloprid when tested in discontinuous systemic laboratory bioassays. The resistance factors were generally 2- to 3-fold lower in leaf-dip bioassays. In addition to the Spanish strains, we obtained two other highly neonicotinoid-cross-resistant B tabaci greenhouse populations, one from Italy (December 1999) and one from Germany (June 2001). A molecular diagnostic analysis revealed that both strains also belong to the (Spanish) subtype Q of the B tabaci species complex. The resistance levels of Q-type whitefly strains derived from Almeria greenhouses in 1999 remained stable for at least two years, even when maintained in the laboratory without any selection pressure. The biochemical mechanisms conferring resistance to neonicotinoids have not yet been elucidated in detail, but synergist studies suggested a possible involvement of microsomal monooxygenases. Furthermore, we checked two Almerian strains of B tabaci isolated in 1998 and 1999 and demonstrated that neonicotinoid resistance is not due to an altered [3H]imidacloprid binding site of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors.     

Susceptibility to insecticides in the Q biotype of Bemisia tabaci is correlated with bacterial symbiont densities

BACKGROUND: The presence of symbiotic microorganisms may influence an insect's ability to tolerate natural and artificial stress agents such as insecticides. The authors have previously shown that Rickettsia in the B biotype of the whitefly Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) (Homoptera: Aleyrodidae) increases this insect's susceptibility to several insecticidal compounds. This communication reports a comparison of the susceptibilities of three isofemale strains of the Q biotype of B. tabaci harbouring different bacterial complements to major insecticides from different chemical groups: one strain harboured only Arsenophonus, one harboured Rickettsia and Arsenophonus and one harboured Arsenophonus and Wolbachia. RESULTS: The presence of different symbiont combinations in the three strains had a significant influence on their susceptibility to most of the insecticides tested. Thiamethoxam, imidacloprid, pyriproxyfen and spiromesifen had a significant influence on strains that had the double infections Rickettsia–Arsenophonus and Wolbachia–Arsenophonus, which also carried higher amounts of symbionts as assessed by quantitative real‐time PCR. No significant differences in mortality rates were observed when the tested strains were treated with diafenthiuron. CONCLUSION: The results suggest a correlation between the presence of high bacterial densities in B. tabaci and the insect's ability to detoxify toxic compounds such as insecticides. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry     

Cross‐resistance relationships between neonicotinoids and pymetrozine in Bemisia tabaci (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae)

BACKGROUND: Although cross‐resistance between compounds in the same insecticide group is a frequently observed phenomenon, cross‐resistance between groups that differ in structural and functional characteristics can be extremely unpredictable. In the case of controlling the whitefly, Bemisia tabaci Gennadius, neonicotinoids and the pyridine azomethine antifeedant pymetrozine represent independent lines of discovery that should be suited for alternation to avoid prolonged selection for the same resistance mechanism. Reports of an association between responses to neonicotinoids and pymetrozine were investigated by resistance profiling of seven B. tabaci strains and complementary reciprocal selection experiments. RESULTS: All strains demonstrated a consistent correlation between responses to three neonicotinoid compounds: thiamethoxam, imidacloprid and acetamiprid. Responses to neonicotinoids for six field strains clearly correlated with responses to pymetrozine. Reciprocal selection experiments confirmed an unexpected case of intergroup cross‐resistance. A seventh strain exhibited a so far unique phenotype of strong resistance to pymetrozine but full susceptibility to neonicotinoids. Selection experiments confirmed that in this strain the mechanism of pymetrozine resistance is specific and has no implications for neonicotinoids. CONCLUSION: Cross‐resistance between neonicotinoids and pymetrozine in B. tabaci probably reflects the overexpression of a cytochrome‐P450‐dependent monooxygenase capable of metabolising both types of compound in spite of their apparent structural dissimilarity. Given the predominance of this mechanism in B. tabaci, both can contribute to resistance management but should be placed within the same treatment ‘window’. Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry     

5种杀虫剂灌根施药对黄瓜烟粉虱的防治效果研究

以盆栽黄瓜为供试植物,利用灌根法,研究了5种杀虫剂对黄瓜烟粉虱的防治效果。结果表明:阿维菌素对黄瓜烟粉虱最高防效不足30%,吡虫啉、噻虫嗪、啶虫脒和烯啶虫胺灌根施药后7d,防效均在60%以上,10d防效达最高,其中吡虫啉130mg/L处理防效最高为94.3%,持效期长达20d。本研究为黄瓜烟粉虱防治药剂的合理使用提供了科学依据。     

Toxicity of insecticides to the sweetpotato whitefly (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) and its natural enemies

Efficient chemical control is achieved when insecticides are active against insect pests and safe to natural enemies. In this study, the toxicity of 17 insecticides to the sweetpotato whitefly, Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius), and the selectivity of seven insecticides to natural enemies of this insect pest were evaluated. To determine the insecticide toxicity, B. tabaci adults were exposed to abamectin, acephate, acetamiprid, cartap, imidacloprid, malathion, methamidophos, bifenthrin, cypermethrin, deltamethrin, esfenvalerate, fenitrothion, fenpropathrin, fenthion, phenthoate, permethrin and trichlorphon at 50 and 100% of the field rate (FR), and to water (untreated control). To determine the insecticide selectivity, adults of Encarsia sp., Acanthinus sp., Discodon sp. and Lasiochilus sp. were exposed to abamectin, acephate, acetamiprid, cartap, imidacloprid, malathion and methamidophos at 50 and 100% FR, and to water. Groups of each insect species were exposed to kale leaves preimmersed in each treatment under laboratory conditions. Mortality of exposed individuals was recorded 24 h after treatment. Cartap and imidacloprid at 50 and 100% FR and abamectin and acetamiprid at 100% FR showed insecticidal activity to B. tabaci adults. Abamectin at 50 and 100% FR was the least insecticidal compound to the natural enemies Acanthinus sp., Discodon sp. and Lasiochilus sp. The present results suggest that abamectin at 100% FR may decrease B. tabaci field populations but can still be harmless to predators. Implications of these results within an integrated pest management context are discussed.     

Monitoring neonicotinoid resistance in biotype B of Bemisia tabaci in Florida

BACKGROUND: Biotype B of the sweetpotato whitefly, Bemisia tabaci (Genn.), is a worldwide pest that has developed resistance to many insecticides, including the neonicotinoid class. Florida field populations were monitored for susceptibility to the neonicotinoids imidacloprid and thiamethoxam using a cut leaf petiole bioassay method. RESULTS: Average RR₅₀ values for imidacloprid increased from 3.7 in 2000 to 12.0 in 2003; decreased to 5.0 and 2.5 in 2004 and 2005, respectively; and then increased to 26.3 and 23.9 in 2006 and 2007, respectively. Populations with RR₅₀ values of about 50 to 60 during generation one reverted to RR₅₀ values of ?4 in six generations, when reared without further exposure to imidacloprid. Average RR₅₀ values for thiamethoxam increased from 2.0 in 2003 to 24.7 in 2006 and decreased to 10.4 in 2007. Populations with RR₅₀ values of about 22, 32 and 53 during generation one declined to 8, 5 and 6, respectively, after being reared for five generations without exposure to thiamethoxam. The correlation coefficient from the 26 populations that were bioassayed both with imidacloprid and thiamethoxam showed a significant positive correlation (R² = 0.58) between these populations. CONCLUSION: The high level of RR₅₀ values to imidacloprid and thiamethoxam suggest an unstable decline in the susceptibility of B. tabaci to imidacloprid and thiamethoxam, with possible cross‐resistance or predisposition for dual resistance selection. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry     

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。     

Age-specific expression of resistance to a neonicotinoid insecticide in the whitefly Bemisia tabaci

Neonicotinoid insecticides retain a crucial role within many chemical and integrated control strategies for the tobacco whitefly, Bemisia tabaci Gennadius, in spite of the establishment of potent and widespread resistance in many areas. Metabolic resistance mechanisms mediated by overexpression of P450-dependent monooxygenases have been implicated in neonicotinoid resistance in the two most prevalent B. tabaci biotypes. Further characterisation of resistance to the neonicotinoid imidacloprid in populations of both these B- and Q-types is reported.Expression of resistance to imidacloprid was age specific in B- and Q-type strains of B. tabaci. The highest observed resistance ratio at LC(50) expressed in prepupal nymphs was 13, compared with at least 580 in their adult counterparts. For all strains, resistance expressed in immatures was not sufficiently potent to compromise recommended imidacloprid application rates.Targeting neonicotinoids towards immature life stages of B. tabaci may circumvent the protection conferred by current mechanisms of resistance, simultaneously reducing the selection pressures imposed. However, such tactics may enhance the expression of existing resistance mechanisms in immatures, or promote the establishment of novel ones expressed in all life stages.     

Pyriproxyfen,a novel insect growth regulator for controlling whiteflies: Mechanisms and resistance management

Pyriproxyfen, a novel juvenile hormone mimic, is a potent suppressor of embryogenesis and adult formation of the sweetpotato whitefly, Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius), and the greenhouse whitefly, Trialeurodes vaporariorum (Westwood). Dipping of cotton or tomato seedlings infested with 0 to 1-day-old eggs in 0.1 mg litre^?1 resulted in over 90% suppression of egg hatch of both B. tabaci and T. vaporariorum. Older eggs were affected to a lesser extent. Exposure of whitefly females to cotton or tomato seedlings treated with pyriproxyfen resulted in oviposition of non-viable eggs. The LC90 values for egg viability of B. tabaci and T. vaporariorum exposed to treated plants were 0.05 and 0.2 mg litre^?1, respectively. Treatment of whitefly larvae with 0.04–5 mg litre^?1 resulted in normal development until the pupal stage; however, adult emergence was totally suppressed. Second instars of B. tabaci exposed to 5 mg litre^?1 pyriproxyfen, excreted honeydew at a level similar to the control level until the fourth instar (pupation), after which a strong reduction was observed. Inhibition of egg-hatch on the lower surface of cotton leaves was observed when their upper surface was treated with 1–25 mg litre^?1, indicating a pronounced translaminar effect. These findings indicate that pyriproxyfen is an efficient control agent of both B. tabaci and T. vaporariorum. The compound has been used successfully for controlling whiteflies in Israeli cotton fields since 1991. Adults of B. tabaci collected from a rose greenhouse and from adjacent cotton fields were monitored during 1991–1993 for their susceptibility to pyriproxyfen. A high level of resistance was recorded in whiteflies collected from a greenhouse after three successive applications of pyriproxyfen. Based on LC50 values, the resistance ratio for egg-hatch suppression was 554-fold and, for adult emergence failure, 10-fold. However, a single treatment of pyriproxyfen in cotton fields during the summer season (according to an insecticide resistance management (IRM) strategy) did not alter appreciably the susceptibility of B. tabaci to this compound. In order to prevent development of resistance, an attempt should be made to restrict its use to one treatment per crop season applied during the peak activity of the pest. Pyriproxyfen can be alternated with other novel compounds such as buprofezin and diafenthiuron for controlling whiteflies in cotton, vegetables and ornamentals as part of integrated pest management (IPM) and IRM strategies. In pyriproxyfen- or buprofezin-resistant strains of B. tabaci or T. vaporariorum, no appreciable cross-resistance was observed among pyriproxyfen, buprofezin and diafenthiuron.     

哒螨灵对三种害虫的毒力比较及其应用潜力评价

为明确杀螨剂哒螨灵对B型烟粉虱、水稻灰飞虱和黄曲条跳甲等3种害虫的毒力和扩大其使用范围,采用玻管药膜法测定了哒螨灵等药剂对B型烟粉虱和水稻灰飞虱成虫的毒力,用浸渍法测定了哒螨灵等对B型烟粉虱若虫和黄曲条跳甲的毒力.结果显示,哒螨灵对烟粉虱成虫和水稻灰飞虱成虫的毒力最高,触杀LC50分别为0.952 mg/L和0.252 mg/L;哒螨灵对B型烟粉虱若虫的触杀LC50为43.148 mg/L,其毒力较啶虫眯和吡虫啉低,与烯啶虫胺毒力相当,但较吡丙醚毒力高近1倍;哒螨灵对黄曲条跳甲的LC50为195.123 mg/L,其毒力低于毒死蜱,但高于啶虫脒和吡虫啉.表明哒螨灵不仅对B型烟粉虱和水稻灰飞虱成虫毒力高,对烟粉虱若虫和黄曲条跳甲的毒力也较高,有进一步开发应用的潜力.     

烟粉虱细胞色素CYP6EM1基因的克隆及对吡虫啉抗性的作用

烟粉虱是一种世界性农业害虫,其防治手段以化学防治为主,新烟碱类杀虫剂吡虫啉常年用于防治烟粉虱,田间烟粉虱已经形成严重的抗药性。本研究通过分析烟粉虱吡虫啉抗性和敏感种群,发现细胞色素CYP6EM1基因在吡虫啉抗性品系中上调了4.7倍,进而克隆了其全长基因,进行了荧光定量PCR分析,发现该基因在吡虫啉抗性烟粉虱3龄若虫期和雄虫成虫期过量表达,并且在抗性成虫胸部和腹部过量表达。最后通过RNA干扰的方法使成虫的CYP6EM1基因表达量下降了54.8%,之后发现当烟粉虱暴露于吡虫啉时死亡率显著升高了39.65%,这表明CYP6EM1与烟粉虱对吡虫啉抗性的形成相关。研究结果对于揭示烟粉虱对吡虫啉产生抗性的机制有帮助,也为烟粉虱抗性水平田间监测及烟粉虱综合治理提供理论依据。     

Toxicities and sublethal effects of seven neonicotinoid insecticides on survival, growth and reproduction of imidacloprid-resistant cotton aphid, Aphis gossypii

BACKGROUND: Imidacloprid has been a major neonicotinoid insecticide for controlling Aphis gossypii (Glover) (Homoptera: Aphididae) and other piercing–sucking pests. However, the resistance to imidacloprid has been recorded in many target insects. At the same time, cross‐resistance of imidacloprid and other insecticides, especially neonicotinoid insecticides, has been detected. RESULTS: Results showed that the level of cross‐resistance was different between imidacloprid and tested neonicotinoid insecticides (no cross‐resistance: dinotefuran, thiamethoxam and clothianidin; a 3.68–5.79‐fold cross‐resistance: acetamiprid, nitenpyram and thiacloprid). In the study of sublethal effects, imidacloprid at LC₂₀ doses could suppress weight gain and honeydew excretion, but showed no significant effects on longevity and fecundity of the imidacloprid‐resistant cotton aphid, A. gossypii. However, other neonicotinoid insecticides showed significant adverse effects on biological characteristics (body weight, honeydew excretion, longevity and fecundity) in the order of dinotefuran > thiamethoxam and clothianidin > nitenpyram > thiacloprid and acetamiprid. CONCLUSION: The results indicated that dinotefuran is the most effective insecticide for use against imidacloprid‐resistant A. gossypii. To avoid further resistance development, the use of nitenpyram, acetamiprid and thiacloprid should be avoided on imidacloprid‐resistant populations of A. gossypii. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry     

6种杀虫剂对Q型烟粉虱的田间防治效果及抗性测定

本文测试了6种常用杀虫剂对黄瓜上Q型烟粉虱的田间防治效果,并进行室内毒力测定,以确定Q型烟粉虱对不同药剂的抗性。结果表明,施药后第3天,阿维菌素防治效果达78.8%,其次为苦参&;#8226;内酯,防效达65.1%,其他药剂防效低于45%;施药7d后,6种供试杀虫剂防效均下降到45%以下,且药剂间的差异不显著。毒力测定显示,Q型烟粉虱对6种常用杀虫剂均产生不同程度的抗性,且抗性水平高于B型。其中,Q型对高效氯氰菊酯抗性（抗性倍数47.69）显著高于B型（抗性倍数7.19）;对阿维菌素抗性则相对较低,抗性指数仅为4.40;对苦参碱、啶虫脒和吡虫啉的抗性居中（抗性倍数4.57~9.44）。     

烟粉虱细胞色素P450基因CYP6JM1的克隆及其在噻虫嗪抗性中的作用

烟粉虱Bemisia tabaci是全球性农业害虫之一, 目前采用的防治手段多为化学防治。噻虫嗪作为一种新烟碱类杀虫剂, 现被广泛应用于田间烟粉虱的防治, 但烟粉虱已对其产生了抗性。本文通过RT-qPCR对烟粉虱噻虫嗪抗性与敏感种群的细胞色素P450基因CYP6JM1表达水平进行了比较, 结果显示, 烟粉虱噻虫嗪抗性种群CYP6JM1基因表达水平明显升高。基因克隆和序列分析表明, CYP6JM1基因具备昆虫P450基因的典型特征。RT-qPCR检测结果表明, 该基因在烟粉虱1~2龄时期及腹部高水平表达。RNAi结果表明, 降低烟粉虱体内CYP6JM1基因的表达量能够显著提高其对噻虫嗪的敏感性, 表明CYP6JM1基因可能与烟粉虱对噻虫嗪的抗性有关。     

Gene expression in pyriproxyfen-resistant Bemisia tabaci Q biotype

Pyriproxyfen is a biorational insecticide that acts as a juvenile hormone (JH) analogue and disrupts insect development with an unknown molecular mode of action. Pyriproxyfen is one of the major insecticides used to control the whitefly Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) and comply with integrated pest management (IPM) programmes, resulting in minimal effects on the environment, humans and beneficial organisms. During the last few years, resistance to pyriproxyfen has been observed in several locations in Israel, sometimes reaching a thousandfold or more. No information exists about the molecular basis underlying this resistance that may lead to understanding the mode of action of pyriproxyfen and developing molecular markers for rapid monitoring of resistance outbreaks. In this communication, a cDNA microarray from B. tabaci was used to monitor changes in gene expression in a resistant B. tabaci population. Based on statistical analysis, 111 expressed sequence tags (ESTs) were identified that were differentially upregulated in the resistant strain after pyriproxyfen treatment. Many of the upregulated ESTs observed in the present study belong to families usually associated with resistance and xenobiotic detoxification such as mitochondrial genes, P450s and oxidative stress, genes associated with protein, lipid and carbohydrate metabolism and others related to JH-associated processes in insects such as oocyte and egg development.     

叶菜中三种新烟碱类农药的残留吸附动力学和复合效应初探

采用乙腈提取,QuEChERS方法净化,超高压液相色谱仪检测的方法,动态监测3种新烟碱类农药单一及混合使用后青菜中吡虫啉、啶虫脒及噻虫嗪的残留量变化,并进行吸附动力学分析。结果表明,青菜中3种农药的残留量随时间延长增加,不同处理组分别在24~48h达到残留量最高值,之后残留量缓慢降低并趋于稳定。经卡方检验分析,3种农药在青菜中的吸附行为更符合准一级动力学模型,且决定系数R2大部分大于0.9。3种农药混合使用时存在相互作用,相较于农药的单独使用,混用能够提高各自在青菜中的吸附速率。吡虫啉与啶虫脒之间存在相互促进作用,混合使用后各自的残留量和峰值均提高。但两者与噻虫嗪存在抑制作用,混用后青菜中噻虫嗪的最高残留量降低。该研究为农药复合残留风险评估和田间混合施药提供了基础数据。     

Cross‐resistance study and biochemical mechanisms of thiamethoxam resistance in B‐biotype Bemisia tabaci (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae)

BACKGROUND: B‐biotype Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) has invaded China over the past two decades. To understand the risks and to determine possible mechanisms of resistance to thiamethoxam in B. tabaci, a resistant strain was selected in the laboratory. Cross‐resistance and the biochemical mechanisms of thiamethoxam resistance were investigated in the present study. RESULTS: A 66.3‐fold thiamethoxam‐resistant B. tabaci strain (TH‐R) was established after selection for 36 generations. Compared with the susceptible strain (TH‐S), the selected TH‐R strain showed obvious cross‐resistance to imidacloprid (47.3‐fold), acetamiprid (35.8‐fold), nitenpyram (9.99‐fold), abamectin (5.33‐fold) and carbosulfan (4.43‐fold). No cross‐resistance to fipronil, chlorpyrifos or deltamethrin was seen. Piperonyl butoxide (PBO) and triphenyl phosphate (TPP) exhibited significant synergism on thiamethoxam effects in the TH‐R strain (3.14‐ and 2.37‐fold respectively). However, diethyl maleate (DEM) did not act synergistically with thiamethoxam. Biochemical assays showed that cytochrome P450 monooxygenase activities increased 1.21‐ and 1.68‐fold respectively, and carboxylesterase activity increased 2.96‐fold in the TH‐R strain. However, no difference was observed for glutathione S‐transferase between the two strains. CONCLUSION: B‐biotype B. tabaci develops resistance to thiamethoxam. Cytochrome P450 monooxygenase and carboxylesterase appear to be responsible for the resistance. Reasonable resistance management that avoids the use of cross‐resistance insecticides may delay the development of resistance to thiamethoxam in this species. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry