The Use of Frozen,Food-Grade Blood to Successfully Maintain Colonies of Four Species of Mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae)

An essential component of all mosquito-rearing activities is the act of blood-feeding the mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae). Many options exist for this purpose including live host animals and a diverse array of artificial-feeding methods. Most of the published artificial-feeding methods involve expensive materials, custom-built devices, or are labor-intensive. All of the previously published methods utilize blood sources, which are either expensive, or difficult to obtain. Additionally, much of the research into artificial blood-feeding methods for mosquitoes has focused on two species: Aedes aegypti (Linnaeus) and Aedes albopictus (Skuse). This article presents a modified artificial blood-feeding method that uses affordable and easily sourced materials, does not require any technical knowledge to assemble, and requires minimal time and effort. The combination of inexpensive aluminum plates, Parafilm and polytetrafluoroethylene tape membranes, an electric germination mat, and frozen, food-grade blood produces exceptional feeding rates and abundant egg production. The method has been used for 2 yr at the Lee County Mosquito Control District to successfully maintain laboratory colonies of four species of mosquito: Ae. aegypti, Ae. albopictus, Aedes taeniorhynchus (Wiedemann), and Culex quinquefasciatus (Say). Variations of this method are reported, which can be used for wild and laboratory colonies of multiple species. This modified method is highly accessible for any small-scale mosquito rearing facility with labor or budgetary constraints.     

Interplay Between Oxytetracycline and the Homozygote kdr (L1014F) Resistance Genotype on Fecundity in Anopheles gambiae (Diptera: Culicidae) Mosquitoes

The insecticide resistance in Anopheles gambiae mosquitoes has remained the major threat for vector control programs but the fitness effects conferred by these mechanisms are poorly understood. To fill this knowledge gap, the present study aimed at testing the hypothesis that antibiotic oxytetracycline could have an interaction with insecticide resistance genotypes and consequently inhibit the fecundity in An. gambiae. Four strains of An. gambiae: Kisumu (susceptible), KisKdr (kdr (L1014F) resistant), AcerKis (ace-1 (G119S) resistant) and AcerKdrKis (both kdr (L1014F) and ace-1 (G119S) resistant) were used in this study. The different strains were allowed to bloodfeed on a rabbit previously treated with antibiotic oxytetracycline at a concentration of 39·10^–5 M. Three days later, ovarian follicles were dissected from individual mosquito ovaries into physiological saline solution (0.9% NaCl) under a stereomicroscope and the eggs were counted. Fecundity was substantially lower in oxytetracycline-exposed KisKdr females when compared to that of the untreated individuals and oxytetracycline-exposed Kisumu females. The exposed AcerKis females displayed an increased fecundity compared to their nontreated counterparts whereas they had reduced fecundity compared to that of oxytetracycline-exposed Kisumu females. There was no substantial difference between the fecundity in the treated and untreated AcerKdrKis females. The oxytetracycline-exposed AcerKdrKis mosquitoes had an increased fecundity compared to that of the exposed Kisumu females. Our data indicate an indirect effect of oxytetracycline in reducing fecundity of An. gambiae mosquitoes carrying kdr^R (L1014F) genotype. These findings could be useful for designing new integrated approaches for malaria vector control in endemic countries.     

Insecticide resistance in Brazilian populations of the cotton leaf worm, Alabama argillacea

The cotton leaf worm, Alabama argillacea, is a key cotton pest in Brazil and is managed with repeated insecticide applications. Reports of insecticide control failures have recently increased, particularly with pyrethroids. The present work assessed the resistance status of A. argillacea to a number of different insecticides currently used in cotton crops. Bioassays were conducted to estimate the response of 2nd-instar A. argillacea populations to deltamethrin, chlorpyrifos, endosulfan, abamectin and spinosad. A leaf dip bioassay with diluted insecticide formulations was performed in the laboratory with five to nine populations depending on the insecticide. LC₅₀ values were estimated by probit analysis after correction for control mortality data and used to calculate the resistance ratios (RR). All assessed populations exhibited varied and significant levels of resistance to all insecticides tested, but only moderate levels of resistance to deltamethrin were observed (RR = 52.3). The LC₅₀ values for deltamethrin were higher than 30 mg/l for most populations, and above the field rate (12.5 mg/l). This suggests that the frequency of resistant individuals in these populations was likely above the critical frequency. There was low to moderate resistance to abamectin, chlorpyrifos, endosulfan and spinosad formulations (the highest RRs observed were 4.2, 8.4, 11.1 and 23.5, respectively). Despite the moderate levels of resistance to pyrethroids in A. argillacea, overall results indicate the presence of low to moderate resistance of A. argillacea to insecticides currently used against cotton pests in Brazil.     

Resistance monitoring and enzyme activity in three field populations of cowpea aphid (Aphis craccivora) from Egypt

The cowpea aphid (Aphis craccivora) is one of the most important sucking insect pests attacking certain legumes in Egypt particularly faba bean, cowpea and pea. In this study we monitored the resistance level of three field populations of A. craccivora to seven insecticides belonging to three different chemical classes (organophosphates, carbamates and neonicotinoids). The three populations were collected from three governorates in Egypt namely Dakahlia, Qalyobia and Beni Suef. Diagnostic concentrations (LC₉₀ values for susceptible strain) for each insecticide were established using a leaf dipping technique. Resistance monitoring showed that the field population from Dakahlia was highly resistant to all the tested insecticides. In a similar manner, the population from Qalyobia was also resistant to all insecticides except for fenitrothion to which only moderate resistance was observed. The field population from Beni Suef exhibited a lower level of resistance to all the seven tested insecticides.Biochemical assay showed that esterase activity in these three field populations was generally higher as the enzyme activity ratio ranged from 4.3 to 7.8 fold more than that for the susceptible strain. The activity of the other measured detoxifying enzymes (glutathione -S- transferase and mixed function oxidases) was moderate in the populations from Qalyobia and Dakahlia. Nevertheless, the enzyme activity in A. craccivora collected from Beni Suef was variable and differed slightly from the activity measured in the susceptible strain. Monitoring insecticide resistance among the three aphid populations was a proactive approach to detect any shift in insecticide efficiency. The possible occurrence of resistance in the cowpea aphid to the tested insecticides may be due to the higher activity of carboxylesterases. Further studies on the resistance mechanism to these insecticides are needed to provide insights in how to manage and delay the onset of the resistance and thus prolong the performance of insecticides against A. craccivora.     

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.     

An on-farm insecticide resistance test kit for colorado potato beetle (Coleoptera: chrysomelidae)

Test kits were developed to enable growers to assess insecticide resistance in Colorado potato beetle populations. Kits included tests for resistance to: carbofuran (Furadan® 4F), phosmet (Imidan® 50WP), esfenvalerate (Asana® 1.9EC), and a combination of esfenvalerate & piperonyl butoxide (Butacide® 8EC). Tests were petri dishes containing filter paper treated with a discriminating concentration of insecticide (i.e., kills susceptible beetles but not resistant beetles). Discriminating concentrations were determined by testing susceptible and resistant strains of beetle across a range of insecticide concentration. About 200 test kits were distributed during the summer of 1988. Results received indicate: 1) Michigan beetle populations were either susceptible or highly resistant to carbofuran, 2) phosmet resistance was more widespread than previously thought, 3) many populations showed moderate to high levels of resistance to esfenvalerate, and 4) adding piperonyl butoxide reduced resistance to esfenvalerate, in many, but not all populations. Resistance kits help growers determine if insecticide resistance is present in beetle populations (either prior to or after an insecticide application), and also generate data useful to research and extension personnel in documenting the extent and distribution of resistance.     

Status of insecticide resistance and associated mutations in Q-biotype of whitefly, Bemisia tabaci, from eastern China

Resistance levels in five field strains of Bemisia tabaci Q-biotype in eastern China to six representative insecticides were determined, and the frequencies of synaptic acetylcholinesterase ace1 mutation (F331W) and para-type voltage gated sodium channel mutations (L925I and T929V) were detected using polymerase chain reaction-based monitoring techniques. Compared with the reference strain, the field strains exhibited low to high resistance to two neonicotinoids (RF 8.68-75 for imidacloprid and 7.48-46.40 for nitenpyram). Low resistance to dichlorvos (RF 1.37-2.83) and cypermethrin (RF 2.61-8.69) were observed in these strains. All strains were susceptible to abamectin and carbosulfan. The F331W mutation in ace1 gene was fixed in all field strains, the frequencies of the L925I mutation and T929V mutation in sodium channel gene were in the range of 39.6-70% and 63-86.7%, respectively. Information on insecticide resistance status and resistance allele frequency reported in this study provided baseline data for management of insecticide resistance of Q-biotype B. tabaci in eastern China.     

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.     

Cyperus difformis evolves resistance to propanil

Cyperus difformis L. is one of the worst weeds of rice world-wide and has evolved resistance to acetolactate synthase (ALS)-inhibiting herbicides in rice fields of California. Propanil use was intensified to control the widespread resistant biotypes. Rice growers have recently experienced poor control, suggesting resistance to this photosystem II-inhibiting herbicide may have evolved in C. difformis populations. The objectives of this study were to detect the presence of propanil resistance, to establish resistance levels, and to investigate involvement of enhanced herbicide detoxification as mechanism of resistance through the use of metabolic inhibitors. Four C. difformis populations collected in rice fields from the Sacramento Valley of California were confirmed resistant to propanil. This is the first case of such resistance outside the Poaceae and the first time C. difformis exhibits resistance to an herbicide mechanism of action other than ALS inhibition. Carbaryl and malathion applied individually in mixture with propanil had minor effects on herbicide toxicity suggesting metabolic detoxification was not a resistance mechanism. A resistant biotype produced more than 80% biomass after a propanil (6.7 kg a.i. ha⁻¹) and carbaryl (1.9 kg a.i. ha⁻¹) or propanil and malathion (1.0 kg a.i. ha⁻¹) treatment compared to <20% by a susceptible biotype, suggesting substantial resistance still persisted in spite of insecticide addition. Propanil-resistant plants were cross-resistant to bensulfuron-methyl, imazosulfuron, halosulfuron-methyl and penoxsulam, but susceptible to carfentrazone. The loss of propanil to control this important weed of rice underscores the fragility of herbicide-based weed control in monoculture rice. Integrated weed management approaches to decrease herbicide selection pressure are needed to mitigate the evolution of multiple-herbicide resistance in C. difformis of California rice.     

Multiple-fungicide resistance to carbendazim,diethofencarb, procymidone,and pyrimethanil in field isolates of Botrytis cinerea from tomato in Henan Province,China

Botrytis cinerea, the fungal pathogen responsible for causing gray mold in tomatoes, frequently exhibits multiple fungicide resistance. In this study, the sensitivity to carbendazim (Car), diethofencarb (Die), procymidone (Prc), and pyrimethanil (Pyr) was determined for 263 isolates of B. cinerea from diseased fruit and leaves of tomato plants from 87 commercial greenhouses in Henan Province of China during 2013 and 2014. Of the isolates tested, 89%, 93%, 85%, and 86% were resistant to Car, Die, Prc, and Pyr, respectively. Twelve phenotypes were found having different sensitivity patterns, and multi-fungicide resistance was found to one, two, three or four fungicides. The percentage of multiple fungicide resistant isolates (Car^RDie^RPrc^RPyr^R) was 68%. Mycelial growth, spore production, and mycelial dry weight were not significantly different between resistant and sensitive phenotypes of the B. cinerea isolates. However, the virulence of Car^SDie^RPrc^SPyr^S isolates was higher than that of the other fungicide-resistance phenotypes. All of the carbendazim and diethofencarb resistant phenotypes carried a point mutation at codon 198 (E198A or E198K) or 200 (F200Y) in the β-tubulin gene, and all of the procymidone resistant phenotypes carried point mutations at codons 369 (Q369P) and 373 (N373S) in the Bos1 gene. These results provided important reference data for assessment of resistance risk of B. cinerea isolates from commercial tomato transplants in Henan Province, indicating the existence of a high frequency of resistance to carbendazim, diethofencarb, procymidone, and pyrimethanil revealing the necessity of a more integrated control of gray mold.     

Insecticidal Activity and Insect Repellency of Four Species of Sea Lily (Comatulida: Comatulidae) From Taiwan

The methanol and ethyl acetate (EA) extracts of four species of sea lily (Himerometra magnipinna, Comaster multifidus, Comanthina sp., and Comatella maculata) were evaluated for their insecticidal activity against Yellow-fever mosquito larvae (Aedes aegypti) and their repellency against adult Asian Tiger mosquitoes (Aedes albopictus). The 24-hr minimum inhibition concentration (MIC) data revealed that the extracts from H. magnipinna and the C. maculata were the most active, killing mosquito larvae at 12.5 ppm. The toxicity of the extracts from these four sea lilies in descending order was H. magnipinna (12.5 ppm), C. maculata (12.5 ppm), C. multifidus (100 ppm), and Comanthina sp. (200 ppm). Furthermore, no significant difference in toxicity was found using either EA or methanol as the extraction solvent. The MIC at 12.5 ppm is promising as an insecticide lead. The repellency study results show that EA is a better solvent for one species (H. magnipinna), but the methanol is a better solvent overall. The repellency of these sea lily extracts in descending order was Comanthina sp. MeOH (ED₅₀ at 0.32%), followed by H. magnipinna EA (ED₅₀ at 0.38%), C. multifidus MeOH (ED₅₀ at 0.57%), C. maculata MeOH (ED₅₀ at 0.76%), C. multifidus EA (ED₅₀ at 1.25%), and H. magnipinna MeOH (ED₅₀ at 1.67%). A compound with ED₅₀ <0.5% is considered to be a promising repellant. Among the studied sea lilies, both Comanthina sp. and H. magnipinna have potential to be further developed as mosquito control agents due to their favorable toxicity and repellency.     

Simulation of rice planthopper damage for developing pest management decision support tools

Rice planthoppers' damage on Pusa Basmati 1 cultivar was simulated with InfoCrop, a generic crop growth simulation model. The model was calibrated and validated with two experimental data sets on planthopper population and rice yield that were generated through differential insecticide application during the rainy season 2006 and 2007. Simulated yield and total dry matter (TDM) in various treatments over the two experiments were found to be proximal to the observed yields (R² = 0.972, RMSE = 4.61%) and TDM (R² = 0.949, RMSE = 3.25%), respectively. Likewise, the simulated yield and TDM losses were also respectively close to observed yield losses (R² = 0.938, RMSE = 13.53%) and TDM losses (R² = 0.835, RMSE = 19.12%), suggesting appropriate validation of planthopper damage mechanism on Pusa Basmati 1 rice. Economic injury levels (EILs) of planthoppers were simulated with two control expenditures involving two applications with each of monocrotophos and imidacloprid, and three market prices of Pusa Basamti 1 rice. The EIL exhibited a negative relationship with market value of produce but a positive one with expenditure on control measures. Simulated EILs were comparable to earlier established empirical EILs, indicating utility of simulation models for developing location specific EILs that may help in doing away with the use of blanket EILs. Iso-loss curves, devised through validated model, depicted combinations of crop age and planthopper population that resulted in similar yield losses. Both the EILs and iso-loss curves can be useful in monitoring planthopper populations and promoting judicious pesticide applications that would avoid unwarranted control expenditure and environmental contamination. The simulation models being based on detailed crop ecological and physiological processes and pest damage mechanism can thus aid in development of location-specific decision support tools and ensure precision in pest management decisions.     

Virulence Complexity and High Levels of Fungicide Resistance Suggest Population Change of Phytophthora infestans in the Heilongjiang Province of China

Samples of Phytophthora infestans were isolated from 12 city and county fields in the main potato production areas of Heilongjiang province of China between 2004 and 2008. A total of 72 isolates were tested for virulence on a potato R gene differential set and 39 of these isolates were also analysed for their resistance to the fungicide metalaxyl. All 11 differential plants were infected by one or more of the isolates collected; the most commonly overcome differentials were R1, R3, R4, R7, R10, and R11. Most (89.7%) of the tested isolates were resistant to metalaxyl and the rest (10.3%) were sensitive. The proportion of metalaxyl-resistant isolates differed between sites (χ ²?=?25.42, df?=?10, p?<?0.005), but not between years (χ ²?=?4.63, df?=?4, p?>?0.05). Taken together and in comparison with earlier pathogen population studies, our findings suggest that the population of P. infestans in Heilongjiang is different from that existing in the province two decades ago and that at various locations within the province, the new population has a high frequency of resistance to metalaxyl.     

A Comparison of Resistance to Imidacloprid in Colorado Potato Beetle (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Leptinotarsa decemlineata</Emphasis> Say) Populations Collected in the Northwest and Midwest U.S.

The Colorado potato beetle, Leptinotarsa decemlineata Say, is a serious pest of potato, Solanum tuberosum L., worldwide. Leptinotarsa decemlineata has a history of repeated adaptation to insecticides, and exhibits a geographic pattern of decreasing insecticide resistance from east to west in the USA. Imidacloprid is one of the most widely used insecticide in western states. In this study, we measured imidacloprid resistance among larval and adult L. decemlineata from ten locations in the Columbia Basin (southeastern Washington and northeastern Oregon) using topical LD₅₀ bioassays, and compared them to estimates from ten locations in Minnesota and Wisconsin. Larval and adult imidacloprid LD₅₀’s and mean percent mortality were generally lowest in Washington and Oregon, but some sites exhibited reductions in mortality comparable to those observed at some Wisconsin sites. Adult LD₅₀’s suggest L. decemlineata in the Columbia Basin may be evolving in response to selection by neonicotinoid insecticides, but larval data suggest high susceptibility to imidacloprid remains in most populations. Future work should expand resistance monitoring efforts to include more regions in the West and other insecticide modes of action.     

Insecticide resistance, mixture potentiation and fitness in populations of the maize weevil (Sitophilus zeamais)

High levels of pyrethroid resistance and emerging organophosphate resistance in Brazilian populations of the maize weevil Sitophilus zeamais (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) led to the registration of esfenvalerate + fenitrothion against them. Thus, a survey of physiological and behavioural resistance was carried out in 27 insect populations for two pyrethroids, esfenvalerate and permethrin, and the esfenvalerate + fenitrothion mixture. Physiological resistance to fenitrothion was also assessed, as was the potentiation of the mixture. The potential fitness cost associated with insecticide resistance was also investigated. The resistance levels were low to fenitrothion (<14.1-fold), low to moderate to the pyrethroids (1.6–70.0-fold) and low to the pyrethroid-organophosphate mixture (<5-fold) with a high heterogeneity of response among populations. The potentiation of insecticidal activity achieved with the insecticide mixture was very high (>350-fold) reinforcing its usefulness for managing weevils. There was little variation in walking behaviour (and insecticide avoidance) among populations; there was no significant variation in fitness, body mass and respiration rate among the populations of the insect. These however, displayed variable rates of grain consumption and activity of amylase and lipase. A decrease in insecticide resistance in maize weevil populations was observed relative to previous studies, but with an initial development of resistance to the insecticide mixture. Behavioural and physiological resistance were not correlated and not associated with fitness cost. Our results support the use of esfenvalerate + fenitrothion against the maize weevil, which is likely to have reduced the levels of pyrethroid resistance in field populations. However, resistance to this mixture seems to be evolving, justifying concerns regarding its use.     

Baseline susceptibility of Bemisia tabaci (Genn.) biotype B in southern Florida to cyantraniliprole

Cyantraniliprole 200 mg ai l⁻¹ (Cyazypyr™ 200 SC) is a new xylem systemic insecticide in the anthranilic diamide chemistry class. A systemic laboratory bioassay using cut stems of cotton seedlings was developed to quantify the baseline susceptibility of nymphs and adults of the sweet potato whitefly, Bemisia tabaci (Genn.) biotype B, to cyantraniliprole. Bioassays were conducted on a susceptible laboratory colony and nine field populations collected in 2008, 2009 and 2010 in southern Florida. Bioassays with cyantraniliprole on the susceptible colony (targeting nymphs with exposure initiated at the egg stage) revealed pooled LC₅₀ and slope values of 0.017 mg ai l⁻¹ and 1.766 (SE = 0.125) in 2008, respectively, and 0.013 mg ai l⁻¹ and 1.355 (SE = 0.156) in 2009, correspondingly. Adult bioassays generated pooled LC₅₀ and slope values of 0.049 mg ai l⁻¹ and 3.201 (SE = 0.367) in 2010, respectively. LC₅₀ and slope values targeting nymphs (as above) of field populations ranged from 0.013 to 0.023 mg ai l⁻¹ and 1.425 (SE = 0.167) to 1.923 (SE = 0.187), respectively, in 2008, and 0.023 to 0.034 mg ai l⁻¹ and 1.682 (SE = 0.140) to 2.318 (SE = 0.226), respectively, in 2009. Resistance ratio values at 50% mortality (RR₅₀) on nymphs of field colonies ranged from 0.784 to 1.346 in 2008 and from 1.760 to 2.589 in 2009. Bioassays with adult field populations yielded LC₅₀ and slope values ranging from 0.037 to 0.059 mg ai l⁻¹ and 2.639 (SE = 0.561) to 6.948 (SE = 1.294), respectively, in 2010. The RR₅₀ values for adults from field colonies ranged from 0.752 to 1.207. The overlapping fiducial limits of the LC₅₀ values, the low RR₅₀ values, and the lack of significant differences in the slopes of probit lines between laboratory and field colonies, indicate that the B. tabaci populations present in southern Florida fields were highly sensitive to cyantraniliprole. These data will be helpful in monitoring for any changes in susceptibility as a result of use of the insecticide. The baseline information developed in the present study confirmed the susceptibility of field populations in Florida to cyantraniliprole and will be an essential component of a resistance management program to help ensure the continued viability of cyantraniliprole for B. tabaci management.     

Foliar resistance to late blight in potato clones evaluated in national trials in 1997

Changes in the oomycetePhytophthora infestans in the United States and other parts of the world pose a significant threat to potato production. A continual evaluation of potato clones for resistance to late blight is necessary to identify clones with resistance and to monitor the stability of resistance in light of the emergence of new and more aggressive strains of this pathogen. Twentytwo potato clones (10 cultivars and 12 selections) were evaluated in 1997 for late blight resistance at seven U.S. locations. Seven late blight differentials (R₁R₂R₃R₄, R₁R₂R₄, R₁R₃R₄ R₃, R₈ R₁₀, and R_multi) were also included in the test at five of these locations. The US-8 strain of P.infestans was present at all locations. Percent infected foliage was recorded at approximately weekly intervals following the onset of disease. Area under the disease progress curve (AUDPC) was calculated. The nonparametric stability statistics mean absolute rank differences (S _i ⁽¹⁾ ) and variances of the ranks (S _i ⁽²⁾ ) were used to analyze phenotypic stability. Although neither of these statistics was significant for individual clones, both of these statistics were significant when summed over clones, indicating the importance of genotype × environment interactions on the rankings of these clones across locations. The most late blight-resistant and susceptible clones were the most stable; clones in the intermediate ranges were most subject to rank changes due to genotype × environment interactions. The most late blight-resistant clones were AWN86514-2, B0692-4, B0718-3, and B0767-2. The most susceptible clones were B0811-13, B1004-8, Nor-Donna, and Krantz. AUDPC was very low for the late blight differentials R₈ and R_multi, moderately low for R₁₀ and very high for the remaining differentials. This study is important in characterizing the reaction of potato clones to new strains of P.infestans.     

Effect of repeated applications of insecticides to potatoes on numbers of Myzus persicae (Sulzer) (Hemiptera: Aphididae) and on the frequencies of insecticide-resistant variants

Numbers of Myzus persicae on potatoes (Solanum tuberosum) receiving three insecticide regimes were recorded in 1985 and 1986. Frequencies of insecticide-resistant variants were determined using an immunoassay for esterase-4 (E4), the enzyme responsible. M. persicae was more abundant at the end of the season on plots sprayed alternately throughout the experiment with a mixture of pyrethroid with oil and pirimicarb, than on those treated with pirimicarb alone. Frequency distributions of E4 activity showed that very resistant variants intermediate between R₂ and R₃ levels accounted for >50% of the populations. Further samples of aphids, collected on separate farms from defoliated patches in late-growing potato crops where repeated spraying had failed to control aphids, showed that these highly resistant variants had again been selected. Possible reasons for the observed increase in numbers of M. persicae following pyrethroid/oil treatment and consequences for virus control are discussed.