Microbiome facilitated pest resistance: potential problems and uses

Microbiome organisms can degrade environmental xenobiotics including pesticides, conferring resistance to most types of pests. Some cases of pesticide resistance in insects, nematodes and weeds are now documented to be due to microbiome detoxification, and is a demonstrated possibility with rodents. Some cases of metabolic resistance may have been misattributed to pest metabolism, and not to organisms in the microbiome, because few researchers use axenic pests in studying pesticide metabolism. Instances of microbiomes evolving pesticide resistance contributing to resistance of their hosts may become more common due the erratic nature of climate change, as microbiome populations typically increase and evolve faster in stressful conditions. Conversely, microbiome organisms can be engineered to provide crops and beneficial insects with needed resistance to herbicides and insecticides, respectively, but there has not been sufficient efficacy to achieve commercial products useful at the field level, even with genetically engineered microbiome organisms. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry     

Inheritance of resistance to a new non‐steroidal ecdysone agonist,fufenozide, in the diamondback moth,Plutella xylostella (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae)

BACKGROUND: The diamondback moth (DBM), Plutella xylostella (L.), is a cosmopolitan pest of cruciferous crops. Fufenozide, a novel non‐steroidal ecdysone agonist, exhibits good efficacy and plays an increasingly important role in the control of Lepidopterous pests in China. A laboratory strain of DBM was selected for resistance to fufenozide, and the genetic basis of resistance was studied. RESULTS: The resistant strain, selected under laboratory conditions, exhibited a higher level of resistance to fufenozide (302.8‐fold based on LC₅₀s) than the laboratory susceptible strain. Mortality data from the testing of F₁ progeny of reciprocal crosses of resistant and susceptible DBM indicated that resistance was autosomal and incompletely recessive with a degree of dominance of ?0.664. Chi‐square analysis from responses of a backcross of crossed F₁ progeny and the resistant strain and F₂ progeny were highly significant, suggesting that the resistance was probably controlled by more than one gene. The estimated realised heritability (h²) of fufenozide resistance was 0.08, indicating that diamondback moth may have a lower chance of developing resistance to fufenozide than other kinds of insecticide. CONCLUSION: The resistance of DBM to fufenozide might be autosomal and incompletely recessive, and the resistance is probably controlled by more than one gene. These results provide the basic information for pest management programmes. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry     

Towards the construction of a resistance risk evaluation scheme

Pesticide resistance management needs an indication of the risk of resistance developing in pests against pesticide applications. This paper describes an evaluation system for the ranking of these risks. The term pests includes all organisms which are causing economic damage in agriculture, including weeds and plant pathogens. The system distinguishes six broad risk categories. It is based on expert judgement of answers to a maximum of ten questions on crop husbandry, pest biology and pest control. The system has been developed for registration purposes in The Netherlands, and is currently being discussed within the European and Mediterranean Plant Protection Organisation (EPPO). ©1997 SCI     

棉叶螨的抗药性现状与治理策略

棉叶螨也称为棉红蜘蛛,属蛛形纲叶螨科,其种类繁多,分布范围广,世代周期短,是为害棉花的一类重要害螨。目前,用于防治棉叶螨的化学药剂主要是神经毒剂及呼吸抑制剂2大类,且棉叶螨对多数药剂产生了不同程度的抗性,以二斑叶螨Tetranychus urticae为首的植食性害螨已成为世界上抗药性最严重的节肢动物之一。美国路易斯安那州棉田二斑叶螨种群对阿维菌素产生了1 415倍抗性,而国内棉花上棉叶螨主要对有机磷类药剂产生了较强抗性,最高为467倍。棉叶螨产生抗药性的机制主要涉及靶标突变及解毒代谢增强,其中靶标突变主要涉及乙酰胆碱酯酶、电压门控钠离子通道和谷氨酸门控氯离子通道等;细胞色素P450单加氧酶、羧酸酯酶和谷胱甘肽S-转移酶等一种或多种解毒酶共同参与害螨对化学药剂的解毒代谢。该文主要从棉叶螨的种类及分布、用于防治棉叶螨的化学药剂、棉叶螨的抗药性现状、抗药性机制解析和抗药性治理策略5个方面进行阐述,提出因地制宜的抗药性治理策略,旨在为棉叶螨的田间防治提供指导。     

Problems of resistance development in arthropod pests of agricultural crops in Russia

This paper presents the results of long‐term monitoring of insecticide resistance in populations of agricultural pests in Russia. Over the last 45 years, resistance developments were recorded for 36 arthropod pest species in 11 agricultural crops and pastures in relation to nearly all commonly used plant protection products. Development of group, cross and multiple resistance has been revealed in populations of many economically important pests. Toxicological and phenotypical (for Colorado potato beetle) methods have been devised to monitor the development of pesticide resistance. Based on experience over the last century, systems aimed at preventing the development of pest resistance to insecticides and acaricides are elaborated. These systems are based on resistance monitoring and using plant protection measures which minimize the toxic pressure on agroecosystems.     

中国转基因抗虫玉米的商业化策略

玉米是全球播种面积最大的粮食作物,事关世界粮食安全。鳞翅目和鞘翅目害虫是影响玉米产量和品质的重要因素,长期以来多数国家采取以喷施化学农药为主的防控策略,但存在较高的使用成本和环境风险等问题。作为新一代的害虫防控技术,转基因抗虫玉米于1996年开始在美国商业化种植,并迅速推广到巴西等主要玉米生产国家,成为防控草地贪夜蛾Spodoptera frugiperda和欧洲玉米螟Ostrinia nubilalis等重大害虫的核心技术。该文综述了全球转基因抗虫玉米商业化的历史和防控害虫的作用,分析了美国对欧洲玉米螟和草地贪夜蛾等靶标害虫抗性治理的成功经验以及巴西等南美国家草地贪夜蛾对多种转基因抗虫玉米产生抗性的成因与教训。基于中国转基因抗虫玉米转化事件的研发现状、玉米生产模式、玉米害虫的区域发生特点和迁飞生物学等特性,提出在南方和西南山地丘陵玉米区种植包含Vip3A的多基因叠加抗虫玉米从源头防控草地贪夜蛾,在黄淮海夏玉米区种植包含Cry2A的多基因叠加抗虫玉米从源头防控棉铃虫Helicoverpa armigera,在北方春玉米区种植包含Cry1A的多基因叠加抗虫玉米从源头防控亚洲玉米螟Ostr...     

Resistance to foliage-feeding insects in conifers: implications for pest management

The ecological implications of insect resistance in conifers are rarely discussed. It is however a fairly straightforward plant-insect interaction and should be treated as such, making use of the increasing amount of information in this field. Work on tree breeding is usually carried out by silviculturalists who, not surprisingly, rarely consider the insect component of the environment in which the treess are growing. In all fairness, it must be stated that many entomologists, fail to consider the plant component of the interaction. Clonal forestry will almost certainly result in the loss of genetic variability. The use of clonal material has already been cited as a possible source for the diminution of the resistance against pests and diseases and if particular resistance mechanisms against forest pests are sought in the future the reduction in genetic material caused by clonal selection could have serious consequences. The ethics of clonal forestry have been questioned as have the ethics of biotechnological advances in the area of recombinant DNA molecules. The potential of both these techniques should be publicized and brought to the attention of the general public and the scientific community at large and evaluated. To improve our forest environment and to protect the environment as a whole, entomologists, geneticists, physiologists and silviculturalists must work together to produce better trees that require little, if any, chemical aid, be it insecticides, herbicides, fungicides or fertilizers. An increasing awareness of the environmental problems generated by large-scale insecticide applications to forest plantations, coupled with an increasingly chemophobic work-force and the difficulty in obtaining pesticide registration for use in forest environments, means that the forest industry world-wide must look to the use of integrated control measures with more diligence than has been shown in the past. Many recent outbreaks of pests and diseases have been linked with particular seed origins of tree crops. Host plant resistance as part of a suite of other proposed integrated control tools is thus an obvious candidate for development. Despite this, scientists concerned with tree improvement continue to select largely for silvicultural traits rather than for resistance to pests and disease. The different avenues open to plant breeders are examined and the potential of breeding trees resistant to insect attack highlighted. Using resistant trees as part of an integrated pest management system has five very important properties. Firstly, there is no additional pest control cost to the grower, secondly, it operates at all levels of insect incidence and not just when the pest is at high population levels, thirdly, it reduces the insect population cumulatively, fourthly it avoids toxic residues and environmental pollution and, finally, it usually interacts well with the other integrated pest management strategies in existence.     

环境因素对水稻品种抗褐飞虱的影响研究概况

褐飞虱是东南亚、东亚水稻产区的重要害虫。栽培丰产的抗虫水稻品种是防治该虫经济有效的措施之一,由于作物抗虫性是在一定的环境条件下寄主与昆虫相互作用的表现,不同环境条件对作物抗虫性有影响。本文从气候因素、土壤肥力因素、生物因素、人为因素、抗虫品种和褐飞虱及不同因素综合作用等几方面概述了环境因素对水稻品种抗褐飞虱的影响,并提出了有待于今后进一步研究的问题。     

Spirodiclofen and spirotetramat bioassays for monitoring resistance in citrus red mite, Panonychus citri (Acari: Tetranychidae)

BACKGROUND: Citrus red mite, Panonychus citri (McGregor), is a key pest of San Joaquin Valley California citrus. Spirodiclofen was registered for mite control in 2007, and spirotetramat for scale control in 2008. Because of the potential for resistance to spirodiclofen to develop in spider mites, and cross‐resistance to spirotetramat used for other citrus pests, bioassay methods for resistance monitoring were developed. RESULTS: The responses of four populations of adult female, egg and larval stages of P. citri to spirodiclofen were compared to determine the most robust bioassay method for this pesticide. Adult females responded with a higher LC₉₉ and larval stages exhibited higher control mortality and a lower slope of response compared with the egg stage. Thus, the egg stage was found to be the most suitable stage for testing. Egg production and egg shape were significantly affected by spirodiclofen treatment of adult female mites. Bioassays with the related compound spirotetramat revealed that P. citri egg hatch was less affected by this compound, requiring the assessment of mortality to be extended to 11 days after treatment when the hatched larvae succumbed to the pesticide. Discriminating concentrations of 10 ppm for spirodiclofen and 31.6 ppm for spirotetramat in an 11 day bioassay were tested against eight field populations of P. citri, and 99–100% mortality resulted. CONCLUSION: These results provide a baseline for the response of P. citri to spirodiclofen and spirotetramat that will aid resistance management in California citrus. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry     

Evolving understanding of the evolution of herbicide resistance

A greater number of, and more varied, modes of resistance have evolved in weeds than in other pests because the usage of herbicides is far more extensive than the usage of other pesticides, and because weed seed output is so great. The discovery and development of selective herbicides are more problematic than those of insecticides and fungicides, as these must only differentiate between plant and insect or pathogen. Herbicides are typically selective between plants, meaning that before deployment there are already some crops possessing natural herbicide resistance that weeds could evolve. The concepts of the evolution of resistance and the mechanisms of delaying resistance have evolved as nature has continually evolved new types of resistance. Major gene target‐site mutations were the first types to evolve, with initial consideration devoted mainly to them, but slowly ‘creeping’ resistance, gradually accruing increasing levels of resistance, has become a major force owing to an incremental accumulation of genetic changes in weed populations. Weeds have evolved mechanisms unknown even in antibiotic as well as other drug and pesticide resistances. It is even possible that cases of epigenetic ‘remembered’ resistances may have appeared. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry     

Cross‐resistance,inheritance and biochemical mechanisms of imidacloprid resistance in B‐biotype Bemisia tabaci

BACKGROUND: The B‐type Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) has become established in many regions in China, and neonicotinoids are extensively used to control this pest. Imidacloprid resistance in a laboratory‐selected strain of B‐type B. tabaci was characterised in order to provide the basis for recommending resistance management tactics. RESULTS: The NJ‐Imi strain of B‐type B. tabaci was selected from the NJ strain with imidacloprid for 30 generations. The NJ‐Imi strain exhibited 490‐fold resistance to imidacloprid, high levels of cross‐resistance to three other neonicotinoids, low levels of cross‐resistance to monosultap, cartap and spinosad, but no cross‐resistance to abamectin and cypermethrin. Imidacloprid resistance in the NJ‐Imi strain was autosomal and semi‐dominant. It is shown that enhanced detoxification mediated by cytochrome‐P450‐dependent monooxygenases contributes to imidacloprid resistance to some extent in the NJ‐Imi strain. Results from synergist bioassays and cross‐resistance patterns indicated that target‐site insensitivity may be involved in imidacloprid resistance in the NJ‐Imi strain of B. tabaci. CONCLUSION: Although oxidative detoxification mediated by P450 monooxygenases is involved in imidacloprid resistance in the NJ‐Imi strain of B‐type B. tabaci, target‐site modification as an additional resistance mechanism cannot be ruled out. Considering the high risk of cross‐resistance, neonicotinoids should be regarded as a single group when implementing an insecticide rotation scheme in B. tabaci control. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry     

Complex interplay of future climate levels of CO2, ozone and temperature on susceptibility to fungal diseases in barley

Barley (Hordeum vulgare) was grown in different climatic environments with elevated [CO₂] (700 vs 385 ppm), [O₃] (60/90 vs 20 ppb) and temperature (24/19 vs 19/12°C day/night) as single factors and in combinations, to evaluate the impact of these climatic factors on photosynthesis and susceptibility to powdery mildew and spot blotch disease. No significant increase in net CO₂ assimilation rate was observed in barley grown under elevated [CO₂] at ambient temperature. However, this rate was positively stimulated under elevated temperature together with a slightly higher potential quantum efficiency of PSII, both at ambient and elevated [CO₂], suggesting that photosynthesis was not limited by [CO₂] at ambient temperature. When growing under elevated temperature or [O₃], infection by the biotrophic powdery mildew fungus decreased, whereas disease symptoms and growth of the toxin‐secreting hemibiotrophic spot blotch fungus increased compared to ambient conditions, implying that climate‐induced changes in disease severity could be linked to the trophic lifestyle of the pathogens. Elevated [CO₂] decreased powdery mildew infection but had no effect on spot blotch disease compared to ambient condition. However, the effect of elevated [CO₂], [O₃] and temperature did not act in an additive manner when combined. This led to a surprising disease development in the combination treatments, where powdery mildew infection increased despite the individual reducing effect of the climatic factors, and spot blotch disease decreased despite the individual promoting effect of temperature and ozone, emphasizing the importance of conducting multifactorial experiments when evaluating the potential effects of climate change.     

新烟碱类杀虫剂抗药性研究进展

新烟碱类杀虫剂是一类新开发的杀虫剂。研究表明，害虫野外种群对其敏感性差弄较大，现已有多种害虫对吡虫啉和啶虫脒产生了抗性。初步研究显示，马铃薯叶甲对吡虫啉抗性以不完全隐性的常染色体遗传；抗性似不稳定，交互抗性谱随虫种而变化，抗性形成可能与多功能氧化酶和酯酶有关。合理轮用和高剂量杀死策略是治理其抗性的有效措施。     

A web‐based decision support system to enhance IPM programs in Washington tree fruit

BACKGROUND: Integrated pest management (IPM) decision‐making has become more information intensive in Washington State tree crops in response to changes in pesticide availability, the development of new control tactics (such as mating disruption) and the development of new information on pest and natural enemy biology. The time‐sensitive nature of the information means that growers must have constant access to a single source of verified information to guide management decisions. RESULTS: The authors developed a decision support system for Washington tree fruit growers that integrates environmental data [140 Washington State University (WSU) stations plus weather forecasts from NOAA], model predictions (ten insects, four diseases and a horticultural model), management recommendations triggered by model status and a pesticide database that provides information on non‐target impacts on other pests and natural enemies. A user survey in 2008 found that the user base was providing recommendations for most of the orchards and acreage in the state, and that users estimated the value at $ 16 million per year. CONCLUSIONS: The design of the system facilitates education on a range of time‐sensitive topics and will make it possible easily to incorporate other models, new management recommendations or information from new sensors as they are developed. Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry     

Variability in resistance-related enzyme activities in field populations of the tarnished plant bug, Lygus lineolaris

Widespread use of Bt crops for control of lepidopterous pests has reduced insecticide use and provided the tarnished plant bug the opportunity to become a serious pest on mid-South cotton. Organophosphate insecticides have predominantly been used against plant bugs in recent years due to the reduced efficacy of other insecticides. In this study, a biochemical approach was developed to survey enzymatic levels associated with organophosphate resistance levels in field populations of the tarnished plant bug. Forty-three populations were collected from the delta areas of Arkansas, Louisiana, and Mississippi. Three esterase substrates and one substrate each of glutathione S-transferase (GST) and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) were used to determine corresponding detoxification enzyme activities in different populations. Compared to a laboratory susceptible colony, increases up to 5.29-fold for esterase, 1.96-fold for GST, and 1.97-fold for AChE activities were detected in the field populations. In addition to the survey of enzyme activities among the populations, we also examined the susceptibility of major detoxification enzymes to several inhibitors which could be used in formulations to synergize insecticide toxicity against the target pests. As much as 52-76% of esterase, 72-98% of GST, and 93% of AChE activities were inhibited in vitro. Revealing variable esterase and GST activities among field populations may lead to a better understanding of resistance mechanisms in the tarnished plant bug. This study also reports effective suppression of detoxification enzymes which may be useful in future insecticide resistance management program for the tarnished plant bug and other Heteropteran pests on Bt crops.     

Challenges facing arthropod biological control: identifying traits for genetic improvement of predators in protected crops

Biological control is an efficient pest control method but there are still limitations that are hindering its wider adoption. Genetic improvement of biological control agents (BCAs) can help to overcome these constraints, but the choice of key attributes for better performance that need to be selected is still an open question. Several characteristics have been suggested but the harsh reality is that selective breeding of BCAs has received a lot of attention but resulted in very little progress. Identifying the appropriate traits to be prioritized may be the first step to reverse this situation. In our opinion, the best way is to look at the factors limiting the performance of key BCAs, especially generalist predators (pesticide compatibility, prey‐density dependence, non‐suitable crops, and extreme environmental conditions), and according to these challenges, to choose the attributes that would allow BCAs to overcome those limitations. The benefits of selection for higher resistance to toxins, whether artificially applied (pesticides) or plant produced (plant defenses); increased fitness when feeding on non‐prey food (supplemented or plant‐derived); and better adaptation to extreme temperature and humidity are discussed. In conclusion, genetic improvement of BCAs can bring about new opportunities to biocontrol industry and users to enhance biocontrol resilience. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry     

Fusarium crown rot under continuous cropping of susceptible and partially resistant wheat in microcosms at elevated CO2

This study examines the CO₂‐mediated influence of plant resistance on crown rot dynamics under continuous cropping of partially resistant wheat line 249 and the susceptible cultivar Tamaroi. Disease incidence, severity, deoxynivalenol and Fusarium biomass were assessed after each cycle in microcosms established at ambient and 700 mg kg^?1 CO₂ using soil and stubble of these wheat lines from a field experiment with free to air CO₂ enrichment. Monoconidial isolates from wheat stubble were collected initially, and after five cropping cycles, to compare the frequency and aggressiveness of Fusarium species in the two populations. Aggressiveness was measured using a high‐throughput seedling bioassay. At elevated CO₂, the higher initial incidence in Tamaroi increased with cropping cycles, but incidence in 249 remained unchanged. Incidence at ambient CO₂ did not change for either line. Elevated CO₂ induced partial resistance in Tamaroi, but not in 249. Increased Fusarium biomass in wheat tissue at elevated CO₂ matched raised deoxynivalenol of the stem base in both lines. After five cycles of continuous wheat cropping, aggressiveness increased in pathogenic F. culmorum and F. pseudograminearum by 110%, but decreased in weakly pathogenic F. equiseti and F. oxysporum by 50%. CO₂ and host resistance interactively influenced species frequency, and the highly aggressive F. pseudograminearum became dominant on Tamaroi irrespective of CO₂ concentration, while its frequency declined on 249. This study shows that induced resistance at elevated CO₂ will not reduce crown rot severity, or impede the selection and enrichment of Fusarium populations with increased aggressiveness.     

棉蚜抗药性现状及治理策略

棉蚜Aphis gossypii Glover是农业生产上最重要的害虫之一。化学杀虫剂一直以来都是棉蚜综合防治体系中的重要组成部分, 但化学杀虫剂的不合理使用导致棉蚜对多种杀虫剂均产生了高水平抗性。现有研究表明, 靶标位点突变、解毒酶基因的过表达以及某些肠道共生菌丰度的变化是导致棉蚜对杀虫剂产生抗性的主要机制。针对棉蚜抗性发展现状及其抗药性机制, 制定科学合理的抗性治理策略, 是充分发挥化学防治的优势、实现棉蚜可持续治理的关键。本文主要从棉蚜的抗药性现状、抗性机制和抗性治理策略3个方面对近10多年的主要进展进行了综述, 旨在为棉蚜抗药性长效治理和科学施策提供理论依据。     

RNA interference technology in crop protection against arthropod pests,pathogens and nematodes

Scientists have made significant progress in understanding and unraveling several aspects of double‐stranded RNA (dsRNA)‐mediated gene silencing during the last two decades. Now that the RNA interference (RNAi) mechanism is well understood, it is time to consider how to apply the acquired knowledge to agriculture and crop protection. Some RNAi‐based products are already available for farmers and more are expected to reach the market soon. Tailor‐made dsRNA as an active ingredient for biopesticide formulations is considered a raw material that can be used for diverse purposes, from pest control and bee protection against viruses to pesticide resistance management. The RNAi mechanism works at the messenger RNA (mRNA) level, exploiting a sequence‐dependent mode of action, which makes it unique in potency and selectivity compared with conventional agrochemicals. Furthermore, the use of RNAi in crop protection can be achieved by employing plant‐incorporated protectants through plant transformation, but also by non‐transformative strategies such as the use of formulations of sprayable RNAs as direct control agents, resistance factor repressors or developmental disruptors. In this review, RNAi is presented in an agricultural context (discussing products that have been launched on the market or will soon be available), and we go beyond the classical presentation of successful examples of RNAi in pest‐insect control and comprehensively explore its potential for the control of plant pathogens, nematodes and mites, and to fight against diseases and parasites in beneficial insects. Moreover, we also discuss its use as a repressor for the management of pesticide‐resistant weeds and insects. Finally, this review reports on the advances in non‐transformative dsRNA delivery and the production costs of dsRNA, and discusses environmental considerations. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry     

Resistance selection and mechanisms of oriental tobacco budworm (Helicoverpa assulta Guenee) to indoxacarb

The oriental tobacco budworm, Helicoverpa assulta, is one of the most destructive pests for numerous commercial crops, and these organisms are responsible for enormous economic losses in Chinese agriculture. Insect larvae often feed within host plant fruits, providing protection from many currently used insecticides and making field control of H. assulta very difficult. Owing to its novel mode of action, high insecticidal activity, and low mammalian toxicity, the nonsystemic insecticide indoxacarb has been considered a promising alternative for the control of lepidopterous pests of agricultural significance. Indoxacarb evidences an elevated insecticidal activity against H. assulta. After 13 generations of selection with indoxacarb and bifenthrin insecticides under laboratory conditions, the LC₅₀ of these compounds for H. assulta increased by 4.19-fold and 10.67-fold, respectively. The synergists diethyl maleate (DEM) and triphenyl phosphate (TPP) increased indoxacarb toxicity by 2.76-fold and 4.10-fold in resistant strains and, comparatively, 1.58-fold and 1.75-fold in susceptible strains, suggesting that carboxylesterase (CarE) and glutathione-S-transferases (GSTs) may be involved in the development of indoxacarb resistance in H. assulta. Activity and kinetic parameters observed in detoxification enzymes further demonstrated that the enhanced activity of CarE and GSTs may be critical in development of indoxacarb resistance in H. assulta. The data provides a foundation for further study of the indoxacarb resistance mechanism observed in H. assulta and the rational use of indoxacarb as a rotation insecticide with other insecticide classes for the control of H. assulta.