Susceptibility of standard clones and European field populations of the green peach aphid, Myzus persicae, and the cotton aphid, Aphis gossypii (Hemiptera: Aphididae), to the novel anthranilic diamide insecticide cyantraniliprole

BACKGROUND: Parthenogenetic clones of the green peach aphid, Myzus persicae (Sulzer), and the cotton aphid, Aphis gossypii Glover, were tested with the anthranilic diamide insecticide cyantraniliprole (i.e. DuPont^? Cyazypyr^?) in systemic‐uptake bioassays to investigate potential for cross‐resistance conferred by mechanisms of insecticide resistance to organophosphates, carbamates and pyrethroids and, in the case of M. persicae, reduced sensitivity to neonicotinoids. These data were compared with the response of field samples of M. persicae and A. gossypii collected from around Europe. RESULTS: Cyantraniliprole was not cross‐resisted by any of the known insecticide resistance mechanisms present in M. persicae or A. gossypii. The compound was equally active against resistant and susceptible aphid strains. The responses of the M. persicae field samples were very consistent with a maximum response ratio of 2.9 compared with a standard laboratory clone. The responses of the A. gossypii field samples were more variable, although a majority of the responses were not statistically different. CONCLUSION: Cyantraniliprole is currently the only anthranilic diamide (IRAC MoA 28) insecticide targeting aphid species such as M. persicae and A. gossypii. There is no evidence to suggest that the performance of this compound is affected by commonly occurring mechanisms that confer resistance to other insecticide chemistries. Cyantraniliprole is therefore a valuable tool for managing insecticide resistance in these globally important pests. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry     

Apparent Tolerance of a Field-Collected Strain of Myzus nicotianae to Imidacloprid due to Strong Antifeeding Responses

A French strain of the tobacco aphid Myzus nicotianae Blackman (Homoptera: Aphididae), strain FR, showed high tolerance to imidacloprid in short-term (48-h) oral ingestion bioassays when compared to a susceptible reference strain of Myzus persicae, strain NS. The resulting tolerance factors were >50. Measures of the contact activity of imidacloprid by the FAO dip method failed to detect these high factors of tolerance. The tolerance factor was in general <10 when using the dip method. The resulting difference between tolerance factors could be attributed to a behavioural component to fitness between strain FR and strain NS as further experiments revealed. When measuring the effect of systemically applied imidacloprid on honeydew excretion, a 50% reduction occurred in both strain FR and strain NS at nearly the same concentration of imidacloprid, providing evidence for a similar antifeedant response in both strains. Starvation experiments revealed that the French strain was able to survive approximately 24 h longer than a reference laboratory strain of M. persicae. This result coincided with the fact that systemically applied imidacloprid showed the same aphicidal potential against strain FR after three days as against strain NS after two days, i.e. 24 h later. After rearing in the laboratory for six months the French strain of M. nicotianae lost its hardiness and also its apparent ability to tolerate imidacloprid. However, strain FR was a heterogeneous field strain and it is possible that a susceptible variant out-reproduced a more hardy variant. These findings indicate that the type of bioassay is very important when assessing aphid populations for resistance against the chloronicotinyl insecticide imidacloprid, because of its distinct mode of action. It is obvious that an aphid dip test, i.e. FAO dip test, produces more reliable results than the different kinds of short-term oral ingestion bioassays, because of the reversible behavioural changes induced by imidacloprid after oral uptake. Thus a short-term oral ingestion bioassay (≤48 h) is not recommended for precise detection of possible resistance of Myzus sp. to imidacloprid, although this mode of uptake for imidacloprid might be sometimes more realistic in terms of field behaviour. The ideal test to generate most accurate data would be a slightly longer (72-h) feeding bioassay, perhaps used in conjunction with a dip test. The possible influence of the results on resistance monitoring is discussed. © 1997 SCI.     

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     

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.     

P450-mediated resistance in Myzus persicae (Sulzer) (Hemiptera: Aphididae) reduces the efficacy of neonicotinoid seed treatments in Brassica napus

BACKGROUND

The prophylactic use of seeds treated with neonicotinoid insecticides remains an important means of controlling aphid pests in canola (Brassica napus) crops in many countries. Yet, one of the most economically important aphid species worldwide, the peach potato aphid (Myzus persicae), has evolved mechanisms which confer resistance to neonicotinoids, including amplification of the cytochrome P450 gene, CYP6CY3. While CYP6CY3 amplification has been associated with low-level resistance to several neonicotinoids in laboratory acute toxicity bioassays, its impact on insecticide efficacy in the field remains unresolved. In this study, we investigated the impact of CYP6CY3 amplification on the ability of M. persicae to survive neonicotinoid exposure under laboratory and semi-field conditions.

RESULTS

Three M. persicae clones, possessing different copy numbers of CYP6CY3, were shown to respond differently when exposed to the neonicotinoids, imidacloprid and thiamethoxam, in laboratory bioassays. Two clones, EastNaernup209 and Osborne171, displayed low levels of resistance (3–20-fold), which is consistent with previous studies. However, in a large-scale semi-field trial, both clones showed a surprising ability to survive and reproduce on B. napus seedlings grown from commercial rates of neonicotinoid-treated seed. In contrast, an insecticide-susceptible clone, of wild-type CYP6CY3 copy number, was unable to survive on seedlings treated in the same manner.

CONCLUSION

Our findings suggest that amplification of CYP6CY3 in M. persicae clones substantially impairs the efficacy of neonicotinoid seed treatments when applied to B. napus. These findings highlight the potentially important real-world implications of resistances typically considered to be ‘low level’ as defined through laboratory bioassays. © 2023 The Authors. Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.     

Release of Aphidius matricariae for control of Myzus persicae in glasshouses1

Aphidius matricariae, the most effective antagonist of Myzus persicae, has been released in experiments to control this aphid on capsicum, Anthurium andreanum and Ficus lyrata. In all cases, effective short-term as well as long-term control has been achieved through an infestation-linked application of the parasite, at parasitoid-host ratios from 1:5 to 1:50. Control experiments in capsicum over 31 weeks showed effective control of M. persicae by A. matricariae, even at a high infestation level. Chemical insecticides were not needed against aphids until week 26, when it became necessary to avoid damage due to mass propagation of naturally occurring Aphis gossypii and Macrosiphum euphorbiae. The results show that, with increasing complexity of biological control methods, the species diversity of aphids increases their significance as pests. In particular, biocontrol of aphids seems to necessitate the use of several antagonists.     

Translocation and translaminar bioavailability of two neonicotinoid insecticides after foliar application to cabbage and cotton

A laboratory study was undertaken to investigate the leaf systemic properties and the translaminar aphicidal activity of two commercialised neonicotinoid (chloronicotinyl) insecticides. For that purpose [14C]imidacloprid was subjected to uptake and translocation studies in cabbage and cotton after foliar application. Foliar penetration and short-term translocation patterns of imidacloprid were similar in both plant species. Nevertheless imidacloprid penetrated twice as much into cabbage leaves as it did into cotton leaves. It showed a comparable translaminar behaviour and was entirely translocated acropetally, indicating its well-known xylem mobility. The translaminar and acropetal movement of imidacloprid and acetamiprid were quantified by simple laboratory bioassays using the green peach aphid, Myzus persicae (Sulzer), and the cotton aphid, Aphis gossypii (Glover), as typical homopteran pests for cabbage and cotton, respectively. A single dose (7.5 micrograms AI per leaf) applied to the upper leaf surface of cabbage and cotton was tested against aphids feeding on the lower leaf surface both close to and distant from the site of application 1, 5 and 12 days after treatment. The translaminar residual activity of imidacloprid on cabbage leaves was superior to that of acetamiprid, whereas its translaminar efficacy against A gossypii on cotton was inferior to that of acetamiprid. However, oral ingestion bioassays using an artificial double membrane feeding system revealed no significant differences in intrinsic activity between the two neonicotinoids tested.     

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     

基于EPG技术分析杭菊两主栽品种对三种菊蚜抗性及其相关抗性物质

为比较杭白菊主栽品种早、晚小洋菊对菊小长管蚜Macrosiphoniella sanborni、棉蚜Aphis gossypii、桃蚜Myzus persicae的抗性,通过刺吸电位技术(electrical penetration graph,EPG)研究菊蚜在菊顶叶上刺吸行为,并检测了菊顶叶主要化合物。结果表明:在晚小洋菊上,菊小长管蚜的E1、E2波平均持续时间4.31、3.47 min,分别短于在早小洋菊上的4.63、3.75 min;棉蚜、桃蚜的E1、E2波平均持续时间分别为4.32、4.72 min和4.92、4.64 min;3种蚜虫的平均刺探次数均大于在早小洋菊上的平均刺探次数。聚类分析结果显示,2个主栽品种之间抗性存在差异。早小洋菊顶叶平均可溶性糖和可溶性蛋白含量分别为2.71 mg/g和25.36 mg/g,均高于晚小洋菊;早小洋菊顶叶总酚含量为0.24 mg/g,显著低于晚小洋菊;早、晚小洋菊总黄酮含量分别为3.46 mg/g和3.37 mg/g。早小洋菊顶叶可溶性糖、可溶性蛋白含量基本上与每种菊蚜的E1、E2波持续时间显著正相关,总酚含量、总黄酮含量与每种菊蚜的E1或E2波持续时间显著负相关。推测早小洋菊对于菊长管蚜的抗性稍弱于晚小洋菊,2种杭白菊对棉蚜或桃蚜的抗性相当,且菊叶中的这4种物质含量与抗蚜性相关。     

山东省不同地区棉蚜对新烟碱类杀虫剂的抗药性检测及酶抑制剂的增效作用研究

为明确山东省棉蚜对新烟碱类杀虫剂的抗性水平,采用毛细管微量点滴法测定了泰安、聊城和东营3个田间种群及1个敏感种群对吡虫啉、烯啶虫胺、啶虫脒、噻虫嗪、噻虫啉、噻虫胺6种新烟碱类杀虫剂的敏感性,同时测定了磷酸三苯酯(TPP)、顺丁烯二酸二乙酯(DEM)和增效醚(PBO)3种酶抑制剂的增效作用。结果表明:泰安棉蚜种群对烯啶虫胺的抗性倍数为16.95,处于中等抗性水平,对吡虫啉和啶虫脒的抗性倍数分别为5.69和9.57,已产生低水平抗性,对噻虫胺、噻虫嗪和噻虫啉的抗性倍数均小于3.0,仍较敏感;聊城棉蚜种群对吡虫啉、啶虫脒和噻虫嗪的抗性倍数分别为28.51、25.88和18.16,属中等抗性水平,对噻虫啉和噻虫胺的抗性倍数分别为6.01和6.37,已产生低水平抗性,对烯啶虫胺仍处于敏感阶段;东营棉蚜种群对吡虫啉、啶虫脒和噻虫胺的抗性倍数分别为37.95、21.52和12.95,已产生中等水平抗性,对噻虫啉、烯啶虫胺和噻虫嗪的抗性倍数分别为7.07、6.38和4.75,处于低水平抗性阶段。多功能氧化酶抑制剂PBO和羧酸酯酶抑制剂TPP对6种供试新烟碱类杀虫剂的增效作用明显,谷胱甘肽-S-转移酶抑制剂DEM对这6种药剂也具有一定的增效作用。研究表明,山东省泰安等3地区棉蚜种群对6种新烟碱类杀虫剂均产生了不同程度的抗药性,多功能氧化酶和羧酸酯酶可能在棉蚜对该类杀虫剂的抗性中起主要作用,谷胱甘肽-S-转移酶可能也具有一定的作用。     

Antifeedant effect,biological efficacy and high affinity binding of imidacloprid to acetylcholine receptors in Myzus persicae and Myzus nicotianae

It is known from laboratory studies that tobacco-associated forms of Myzus persicae (Sulzer) and the closely related tobacco aphid Myzus nicotianae (Blackman) are often somewhat less susceptible to imidacloprid than non-tobacco strains of M. persicae. Choice tests (floating leaf technique) showed that tobacco aphids were also less susceptible to the antifeedant potential of imidacloprid in contact bioassays. Synergists like piperonyl butoxide or DEF did not enhance the susceptibility of tobacco-associated morphs of Myzus ssp. to imidacloprid, thus providing evidence that neither oxidative detoxication nor hydrolytic metabolization took place. However, in an attempt to study the influence of endosymbiotic bacteria on the efficacy of imidacloprid, we allowed small populations of tobacco aphids to feed on diets containing the antibiotic chlortetracycline prior to imidacloprid treatment. While the effectiveness of imidacloprid, i.e. lower LC₅₀ values, could be improved in all strains, including the susceptible reference strain, there was no change in overall tolerance factors. In order to investigate any possible alteration of the target site, the affinity of imidacloprid and nicotine to nicotinic acetylcholine receptors in whole-aphid homogenates was measured. All strains (and clones) showed the same high-affinity binding sites and no detectable difference. Studies using the FAO dip method revealed that the lower susceptibility of M. nicotianae is not restricted to chloronicotinyls like imidacloprid or acetamiprid, because other insecticides with different modes of action such as pymetrozine and fipronil were also affected in laboratory studies. It is considered that the observed tolerance to chloronicotinyls in certain strains of Myzus ssp. is a natural variation in response, probably not coupled with any known mechanism of resistance in this species complex. © 1998 SCI     

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.     

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.     

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     

Movement and persistence of [14C]imidacloprid in sugar-beet plants following application to pelleted sugar-beet seed

[¹⁴C]Imidacloprid was applied to pelleted seeds of sugar beet which were then grown in pots of field soil. Leaves, roots and soil were analysed at intervals up to 97 days after planting and the distributions of parent compound and of several metabolites were quantified. At the first sampling, 21 days after application, parent imidacloprid was the main compound found in the leaves and its concentration averaged 15·2 μg g^-1 fresh weight. By the 25-leaf stage, 97 days after sowing, the concentration of parent compound in the leaves had fallen to an average of 0·5 μg g^-1; the metabolites and parent compound in the leaves then represented respectively 44·5% and 4·5% of the total applied radioactivity. In the root at 97 days, parent imidacloprid and its metabolites together accounted for only 0·1% of the applied activity, whilst in the soil there was 23% of parent compound and 4% as metabolites. The persistence of both parent imidacloprid and the olefinic metabolite, which has recently been shown to have higher aphicidal activity than the parent imidacloprid, explains the prolonged control of aphids observed with imidacloprid in both glasshouse and field trials. © 1998 SCI.     

Effects of cycloxaprid,a novel cis‐nitromethylene neonicotinoid insecticide,on the feeding behaviour of Sitobion avenae

BACKGROUND: Cycloxaprid with cis‐configuration is a novel neonicotinoid insecticide, developed in China, that has good industrialisation prospects for its high activity against imidacloprid‐resistant pests. Studies were carried out to investigate the biological activity of cycloxaprid and its effect on the feeding behaviour of Sitobion avenae. RESULTS: The results demonstrated that cycloxaprid had good contact and root‐systemic activity. The electrical penetration graph (EPG) revealed that cycloxaprid significantly increased the total time of non‐probing periods and greatly inhibited phloem ingestion of treated aphids because it significantly reduced the total time and the frequency of phloem ingestion. Furthermore, cycloxaprid can increase the phloem salivation of treated aphids by comparison with aphids treated with imdacloprid and distilled water. Consequently, a sublethal dose of cycloxaprid impaired aphid ingestion of phloem sap and thereby reduced the weight of aphids. On the other hand, EPG data showed that a sublethal dose of cycloxaprid had no significant effect on xylem sap ingestion, in contrast to imidacloprid. CONCLUSION: All these tests indicated that cycloxaprid had both contact and root‐systemic activity, with sublethal effects resulting in reduction in Sitobion avenae phloem‐feeding behaviour and growth rate. Copyright © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry     

Activation of defence in sweet pepper, Capsicum annum, by cis-jasmone, and its impact on aphid and aphid parasitoid behaviour

BACKGROUND: Two important pests of the sweet pepper, Capsicum annuum, are the peach potato aphid, Myzus persicae, and the glasshouse potato aphid, Aulacorthum solani. Current aphid control measures include the use of biological control agents, i.e. parasitic wasps, but with varying levels of success. One option to increase parasitoid efficiency is to activate plant defence. Therefore, sweet pepper plants were treated with the naturally occurring plant defence activator cis-jasmone, and its impact upon the behaviour and development of aphids and aphid parasitoids was investigated. RESULTS: Growth rate studies revealed that the intrinsic rate of population increase of A. solani and M. persicae on sweet pepper plants treated with cis-jasmone (cJSP) was not affected compared with untreated plants (UnSP), but the positive behavioural response of alate M. persicae towards the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from UnSP was eliminated by cis-jasmone treatment 48 h previously (cJSP48). In addition, the aphid parasitoid Aphidius ervi preferred VOCs from cJSP48 compared with UnSP, and a significant increase in foraging time was also observed on cJSP. Analysis of VOCs collected from cJSP48 revealed differences compared with UnSP. CONCLUSION: There is evidence that treatment with cis-jasmone has the potential to improve protection of sweet pepper against insect pests. © Crown copyright 2012. Reproduced with permission of Her Majesty's Stationery Office. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Muscarinic Agonists as Insecticides and Acaricides

A series of known agonists of the mammalian muscarinic receptor were prepared and evaluated for their insecticidal potential. It was discovered that pests such as Nilaparvata lugens (brown planthopper), Nephotettix cincticeps (green leafhopper), Tetranychus urticae (two-spotted spider mite) and Aphis gossypii (cotton aphid) were particularly sensitive to most of these compounds. Several analogs proved to be extremely active, surpassing commercial standards in some of the laboratory bioassays. These compounds exhibited a range of potencies for the insect (Musca) muscarinic receptor. Addition of GTP significantly reduced the affinity of the most potent analog for the Musca mAChR, indicating the compound functions as an agonist in insect tissue. Regression analysis indicated that significant relationships exist between displacement of [³H]QNB at the Musca muscarinic receptor and whole organism toxicity to three insect and one mite species. The results suggested that the insect muscarinic receptor represents a viable target site for insecticidal action. © 1997 SCI.     

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.     

Insecticidal activity of daphnane diterpenes from Lasiosiphon kraussianus (Meisn) (Thymelaeaceae) roots

A methanol extract of roots of Lasiosiphon kraussianus (Meisn) (Thymelaeaceae) showed potent insecticidal activity against Aphis gossypii (Glov) and Drosophila melanogaster (Meig). Bioassay-driven fractionation of this extract led to the isolation and characterisation of two known daphnane diterpenoids: Excoecaria toxin (1) and wikstrotoxin D (2) . The two natural products were inferior to methomyl in activity against A gossypii and Myzus persicae (Sulz) in contact assays but were superior in ingestion assays against D melanogaster. This is the first report on insecticidal activities of compounds 1 and 2 . AChE was insensitive to the two natural products. © 1999 Society of Chemical Industry