Cross-resistance patterns and fitness in fufenozide-resistant diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae)

BACKGROUND: Fufenozide is a novel non‐steroidal ecdysone agonist with good efficacy against diamondback moth (DBM), Plutella xylostella (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae). At present, it is widely applied for the control of a range of lepidopterous pests in China. This study compared the activities of fufenozide and 12 other insecticides against unselected and fufenozide‐selected strains of DBM to examine potential patterns of cross‐resistance. The relative fitness of the fufenozide‐selected strain was assessed to provide information pertinent to insecticide resistance management. RESULTS: Compared with the susceptible strain (JSS), the fufenozide‐resistant strain (JSR) showed high cross‐resistance to dibenzoylhydrazines and benzoylphenylureas, low cross‐resistance to abamectin and no cross‐resistance to organophosphates, carbamates and pyrethroids. JSR had a lower reproductive ability and a relative fitness of 0.5 compared with JSS. CONCLUSION: P. xylostella has the potential to develop resistance to fufenozide, albeit at the expense of fitness. Cross‐resistance between the same and other classes of insecticides is of concern, and should be a key consideration when implementing fufenozide‐based control strategies for this species. Copyright © 2011 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     

Characterization of acephate resistance in the diamondback moth Plutella xylostella

Decreased acetylcholinesterase (AChE) sensitivity and metabolic detoxification mediated by glutathione S-transferases (GSTs) were examined for their involvement in resistance to acephate in the diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella. The resistant strain showed 47.5-fold higher acephate resistance than the susceptible strain had. However, the resistant strain was only 2.3-fold more resistant to prothiofos than the susceptible strain. The resistant strain included insects having the A298S and G324A mutations in AChE1, which are reportedly involved in prothiofos resistance in P. xylostella, showing reduced AChE sensitivity to inhibition by methamidophos, suggesting that decreased AChE1 sensitivity is one factor conferring acephate resistance. However, allele frequencies at both mutation sites in the resistant strain were low (only 26%). These results suggest that other factors such as GSTs are involved in acephate resistance. Expression of GST genes available in P. xylostella to date was examined using the resistant and susceptible strains, revealing no significant correlation between the expression and resistance levels.     

小菜蛾对氯虫苯甲酰胺抗性发展趋势及其种群生物适合度代价初步研究

在室内用浸叶法累代筛选,建立了抗氯虫苯甲酰胺的小菜蛾 Plutella xylostella (L.)种群,通过系统观察法研究了敏感及抗性种群的生物学特性。结果表明:小菜蛾以每代30%~ 50%的淘汰率筛选10 代后,其对氯虫苯甲酰胺的抗性达9.09 倍;与敏感种群相比,抗性种群的单雌产卵量下降、雄成虫寿命缩短、幼虫历期延长、幼虫存活率下降、化蛹率降低、蛹重下降、羽化率降低,从而 导致抗性种群的净增殖率下降、种群倍增时间延长、内禀增长率下降、相对适合度变小。表明小菜蛾对氯虫苯甲酰胺的抗性在用药初期发展较为缓慢,抗性种群的生物适合度降低,抗性风险相对较低。     

Cross‐resistance and possible mechanisms of chlorpyrifos resistance in Laodelphax striatellus (Fallén)

BACKGROUND: Laodelphax striatellus (Fallén) is a major pest of cultivated rice and is commonly controlled in China with the organophosphate insecticides. To develop a better resistance management strategy, a chlorpyrifos‐resistant strain of L. striatellus was selected in the laboratory, and its cross‐resistance to other insecticides and possible mechanisms of the chlorpyrifos resistance were investigated. RESULTS: After 25 generations of selection with chlorpyrifos, the selected strain of L. striatellus developed 188‐fold resistance to chlorpyrifos in comparison with the susceptible strain, and showed 14‐ and 1.6‐fold cross‐resistance to dichlorvos and thiamethoxam respectively. There was no apparent cross‐resistance to abamectin. Chlorpyrifos was synergised by the inhibitor triphenyl phosphate; the carboxylesterase synergistic ratio was 3.8 for the selected strain, but only 0.92 for the susceptible strain. The carboxylesterase activity of the selected strain was approximately 4 times that of the susceptible strain, whereas there was no significant change in the activities of alkaline phosphatase, acid phosphatase, glutathione S‐transferase and cytochrome P450 monooxygenase between the strains. The Michaelis constant of acetylcholinesterase, maximum velocity of acetylcholinesterase and median inhibitory concentration of chlorpyrifos‐oxon on acetylcholinesterase were 1.7, 2.5 and 5 times higher respectively in the selected strain. CONCLUSION: The high cross‐resistance to the organophosphate dichlorvos in the chlorpyrifos‐resistant strain suggests that other non‐organophosphate insecticides would be necessary to counter resistance, should it arise in the field. Enhanced activities of carboxylesterase and the acetylcholinesterase insensitivity appear to be important mechanisms for chlorpyrifos resistance in L. striatellus. Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry     

Note: Pyrethroid resistance and possible involvement of glutathione<Emphasis Type="Italic">S</Emphasis>-transferases in<Emphasis Type="Italic">Helicoverpa armigera</Emphasis> from Turkey

An introductory study was conducted to investigate the pyrethroid resistance ofHelicoverpa armigera (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) strains in Turkey, collected from cotton fields in the Adana and Antalya provinces, through two different synthetic pyrethroid insecticides: lambda-cyhalothrin and esfenvalerate. In addition, the roles of glutathioneS-transferases (GSTs) in this resistance mechanism were analyzed. It was found that whereas resistance ratios for lambda-cyhalothrin (LD₅₀ levels) were 3- and 98-fold increased in the Adana and Antalya strains, respectively, esfenvalerate ratios were 3.3- and 92.3-fold increased in the Adana and Antalya strains, respectively, with respect to the susceptible strain. Furthermore, Adana and Antalya strains showed 2.4- and 2.9-fold higher GST activities than the susceptible strain, respectively. In the Antalya field strain, the minor increase in GST activity compared with the resistance levels implies that GSTs may be not greatly involved in this resistance. It also provides evidence that they could not be the only metabolic mechanism responsible for resistance to lambda-cyhalothrin and esfenvalerate inH. armigera from Turkey. http://www.phytoparasitica.org posting Nov. 16, 2006.     

Beta-cypermethrin resistance associated with high carboxylesterase activities in a strain of house fly, Musca domestica (Diptera: Muscidae)

A housefly strain, originally collected in 1998 from a dump in Beijing, was selected with beta-cypermethrin to generate a resistant strain (CRR) in order to characterize the resistance and identify the possible mechanisms involved in the pyrethroid resistance. The resistance was increased from 2.56- to 4419.07-fold in the CRR strain after 25 consecutive generations of selection compared to a laboratory susceptible strain (CSS). The CRR strain also developed different levels of cross-resistance to various insecticides within and outside the pyrethroid group such as abamectin. Synergists, piperonyl butoxide (PBO) and S,S,S-tributyl phosphorotrithioate (DEF), increased beta-cypermethrin toxicity 21.88- and 364.29-fold in the CRR strain as compared to 15.33- and 2.35-fold in the CSS strain, respectively. Results of biochemical assays revealed that carboxylesterase activities and maximal velocities to five naphthyl-substituted substrates in the CRR strain were significantly higher than that in the CSS strain, however, there was no significant difference in glutathione S-transferase activity and the level of total cytochrome P450 between the CRR and CSS strains. Therefore, our studies suggested that carboxylesterase play an important role in beta-cypermethrin resistance in the CRR strain.     

低剂量乙基多杀菌素对小菜蛾解毒酶的影响

为探讨低剂量乙基多杀菌素对小菜蛾Plutella xylostella（L.）解毒酶的影响,采用叶片浸渍法,测定了乙基多杀菌素和多杀菌素对小菜蛾敏感种群的毒力,并比较了低剂量（LC25和LC50）处理6、12、24、48和72 h时小菜蛾体内羧酸酯酶（CarE）、谷胱甘肽S-转移酶（GST）和多功能氧化酶系（MFOs）活性的变化动态。结果表明:乙基多杀菌素对小菜蛾的杀虫活性优于多杀菌素,处理48 h后其LC25和LC50浓度分别为0.018和0.048 mg/L,经此低剂量浓度处理后,小菜蛾CarE活性波动较大,6~24 h,处理组CarE活性高于对照组,且均呈先升后降趋势,24~72 h,处理组CarE活性均低于对照组,并且具有一定的时间效应;对GST具有明显的诱导作用,GST活性均高于对照组;对MFOs具有明显的抑制作用,除在48 h时相差不大外,其他时间MFOs活性均显著低于对照组。结果表明,GST可能参与了乙基多杀菌素在小菜蛾体内的代谢。     

朱砂叶螨的抗药性选育及其解毒酶活性研究

在室内模拟田间药剂的选择压力,用阿维菌素和甲氰菊酯对朱砂叶螨Tetranychus cinnabarinus 进行逐代处理,以选育其抗药性品系。阿维菌素品系选育至42代,抗性增长到8.7倍,甲氰菊酯品系选育至40代,抗性增长到68.5倍。阿维菌素抗性品系羧酸酯酶(CarE)、谷胱甘肽-S-转移酶(GSTs)、多功能氧化酶(MFO)的活性分别为敏感品系的2.7、3.4和1.4倍,差异达显著水平。推测3种解毒酶活性显著升高是朱砂叶螨对阿维菌素产生抗性的重要原因。甲氰菊酯抗性品系GSTs的活性为敏感品系的2.8倍,差异显著,表明该抗性品系的形成与GSTs活性增强有关。羧酸酯酶动力学测定结果表明,朱砂叶螨阿维菌素抗性品系体内存在变构的羧酸酯酶。     

Biochemical and molecular mechanisms of diafenthiuron resistance in the whitefly,Bemisia tabaci

B-biotype Bemisia tabaci has developed high levels of resistance to many insecticides. To investigate the risks and explore possible mechanisms of resistance to diafenthiuron in B. tabaci, a 32.8-fold diafenthiuron-resistant strain (R-DfWf) was established after selection for 36 generations compared with the susceptible strain (S-Lab). Biochemical assays showed that the activity of cytochrome P450 towards p-NA was significantly higher (4.37-fold higher) in the R-DfWf strain than in the S-Lab strain. Similarly, the carboxylesterase (COE) activity and glutathione S-transferase (GST) activity were also significantly higher (3.12- and 1.83-fold higher, respectively) in the R-DfWf strain than in the S-Lab strain. The expression of five of seven P450 genes was significantly higher (>3-fold) in the R-DfWf strain than in the S-Lab strain. The expression of COE2 was significantly higher (>2.5-fold) in the R-DfWf than in the S-Lab strain. The expression of GST and GST2 was significantly higher (>2.3-fold) in the R-DfWf than in the S-Lab. Thus, cytochrome P450, COE and GST may appear to be responsible for the resistance to diafenthiuron in B. tabaci. It is also valuable for usage of insecticides for resistance management and control of this species.     

Biochemical mechanisms of methoxyfenozide resistance in the cotton leafworm Spodoptera littoralis

BACKGROUND: Methoxyfenozide is a lepidopteran‐specific insecticide that belongs to a new group of insecticides, the non‐steroidal ecdysteroid agonists, also called moulting accelerating compounds (MACs). To investigate the risk of resistance and possible mechanisms conferring resistance to methoxyfenozide, the authors selected in the laboratory for a resistant strain of the cotton leafworm Spodoptera littoralis (Boisd.), which is a representative lepidopteran model and an important pest in cotton and vegetables worldwide, with a high risk for resistance development. RESULTS: After selection with methoxyfenozide during 13 generations, toxicity data showed that the selected strain developed fivefold resistance to methoxyfenozide in comparison with the susceptible strain. Measurement of the detoxification enzymes demonstrated that the monooxygenase (MO) activity was 2.1 times higher in the selected strain, whereas there was no change for esterases and glutathione‐S‐transferases. When the inhibitors piperonyl butoxide (PBO), S,S,S‐tributyl phosphorotrithioate (DEF) and diethyl maleate were tested as synergists, the respective synergistic ratios were 0.97, 0.96 and 1.0 for the susceptible strain, and 2.2, 0.96 and 1.1 for the resistant strain. The significant synergistic effect by PBO concurs with the increased MO activity in the selected strain. CONCLUSION: Taken overall, the present study supports the importance of MO‐mediated metabolism in resistance to methoxyfenozide, directing tactics to fight against resistance development for this novel group of insecticides. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry     

Biochemical mechanisms conferring cross-resistance between tebufenozide and abamectin in Plutella xylostella

Experiments have been carried out to confirm the cross-resistance between abamectin and tebufenozide in Plutella xylostella and demonstrate its mechanism. The results showed that the resistant strain of P. xylostella selected by tebufenozide (RF 99.38) really showed high cross-resistance to abamectin (RF 29.25). When this strain was subjected to resistance decaying treatment, breeding without contacting any insecticides, and abamectin resistance selection for 20 generations, the former resulted in decrease of its resistance to both tebufenozide and abamectin to about one third of the original (RF 35.03 and 11.67, respectively), and the later enhanced its resistance to abamectin dramatically (RF 303.77), but not to tebufenozide(RF 50.04). PBO showed high synergism to abamectin (SR 2.11-12.23), and the synergism ratio positively related to the resistance level among different strains. Enzyme analysis also proved that the activity of cytochrome P450 monooxygenase (MFO) was notable enhanced in the strains resistant to both tebufenozide and abamectin (1.71- to 3.01-fold). Based on discussion, it was concluded that tebufenozide selection could resulted in significant cross-resistance of P. xylostella to abamectin. The major mechanism for the cross-resistance should be the enhancement of MFO activity. For resistance management, tebufenozide and abamectin would not recommend for rotational use.     

亚致死浓度氯虫苯甲酰胺对小菜蛾药剂敏感度和解毒酶活性的影响

采用叶片药膜法,使用亚致死浓度(LC10、LC25)的氯虫苯甲酰胺对小菜蛾Plutella xylostella(L.)3龄幼虫连续处理5代后,试虫对氯虫苯甲酰胺的敏感度分别比敏感品系下降了57.3% 和67.7%,同时对多杀菌素的敏感度也分别下降了60.2% 和51.5%,但对毒死蜱和高效氯氰菊酯的敏感度变化不明显。采用该浓度的氯虫苯甲酰胺分别处理小菜蛾3龄幼虫24、48和72 h,可诱导其羧酸酯酶(CarE)比活力上升,但对细胞色素P450 O-脱乙基酶(ECOD)、谷胱甘肽S-转移酶(GSTs)和芳基酰胺酶(AA)有明显的抑制作用;连续处理5代后,小菜蛾CarE和ECOD的比活力显著高于对照组,分别为对照组的1.16、1.40倍和1.65、1.56倍,但GSTs和AA的比活力则分别比对照下降了11.0%、27.5%和43.6%、52.5%。结果表明,小菜蛾对氯虫苯甲酰胺产生抗性的风险较高;羧酸酯酶和多功能氧化酶可能与小菜蛾对氯虫苯甲酰胺的敏感度下降有关。     

亚致死浓度多杀菌素对西花蓟马解毒酶系活力的影响

采用亚致死浓度(LC25)多杀菌素对西花蓟马Frankliniella occidentalis相对敏感(SS)种群进行连续选育,获得亚致死(Sub)种群。处理36代后,Sub种群对多杀菌素的敏感性下降到SS种群的5.2倍。用SS和Sub种群各自的LC10和LC25浓度多杀菌素分别处理两种群的2龄若虫,1、6 、12、24和48 h后测定羧酸酯酶(CarE)、谷胱甘肽S-转移酶(GSTs) 和多功能氧化酶(MFOs)的比活力。结果表明,Sub种群对照组CarE和GSTs比活力在除第48 h外的其他时间段都高于SS种群对照组,且6 h时两者CarE比活力差异显著,Sub种群是SS种群的1.37倍;Sub种群对照组MFOs比活力在各时间段都高于SS种群对照组,在1 和6 h时差异显著,前者分别是后者的1.62和1.36倍。再经各自的LC10和LC25浓度多杀菌素处理后,在各时间段Sub种群的CarE比活力均高于SS种群;LC25浓度处理后,Sub种群的GSTs和MFOs比活力虽在短时间内低于SS种群,但随处理时间的延长其比活力均高于SS种群。说明SS种群经亚致死浓度多杀菌素选育36代后,其体内CarE、GSTs和MFOs比活力有上升趋势;继续用亚致死浓度多杀菌素处理,则Sub种群体内解毒酶活力的动态调节能力要强于SS种群。     

Cross-resistance and biochemical mechanisms of abamectin resistance in the western flower thrips, Frankliniella occidentalis

Abamectin resistance was selected in the western flower thrips [Frankliniella occidentalis (Pergande)] under the laboratory conditions, and cross-resistance patterns and possible resistance mechanisms in the abamectin-resistant strain (ABA-R) were investigated. Compared with the susceptible strain (ABA-S), the ABA-R strain displayed 45.5-fold resistance to abamectin after 15 selection cycles during 18 generations. Rapid reversion of abamectin resistance was observed in the ABA-R strain in the absence of the insecticide selection pressure. Moderate and low levels of cross-resistance to chlorpyrifos (RR 11.4) and lambda-cyhalothrin (3.98) were observed in the ABA-R strain, but no significant cross-resistance was found to spinosad (2.00), acetamiprid (1.47) and chlorfenapyr (0.26). Our studies also showed that the esterase inhibitor S,S,S-tributyl phosphorotrithioate (DEF) and glutathione S-transferase inhibitor diethyl maleate (DEM) were not able to synergize the toxicity of abamectin, whereas the oxidase inhibitor piperonyl butoxide (PBO) conferred a significant synergism on abamectin in the ABA-R strain (SR 3.00). Biochemical analysis showed that cytochrome P450 monooxygenase activity of the ABA-R strain was 6.66-fold higher than that of the ABA-S strain. It appears that enhanced oxidative metabolism mediated by cytochrome P450 monooxygenases was a major mechanism for abamectin resistance in the western flower thrips.     

Resistance mechanisms and risk assessment regarding indoxacarb in the beet armyworm,Spodoptera exigua

The beet armyworm, Spodoptera exigua (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), is a worldwide polyphagous pest with a strong ability to develop resistance. After 12 generations of selection by indoxacarb, a resistant strain (RR-indox) was obtained with a 240.04-fold resistance ratio compared with the susceptible strain (WH-SS), which was derived from the Wuhan Institute of Vegetable Science. The LC₅₀ for the susceptible strain was 0.23 mg l ^-1 and it increased to 55.21 mg l ^-1 after 12 selected generations. The estimated realized heritability (h²) of the RR-indox strain was 0.25. The number of generations required for a 100-fold increase in LC₅₀ was estimated to be nine under the 90% lethal dose. The inhibitors piperonyl butoxide (PBO), triphenyl phosphate (TPP), and diethylmeleate (DEM) had synergistic ratios of 0.87-, 0.31- and 0.36-fold in RR-indox, and 0.51-, 0.09- and 0.12-fold in WH-SS, respectively. A 3.75-fold increased level of activity of glutathione S-transferase was found in RR-indox compared with WH-SS, whereas a 1.99-fold higher activity level of carboxylesterase was observed. No significant differences in the cuticular penetration rate were found between RR-indox and WH-SS. A DNA fragment of 257 bp length of the IIS6 region of the voltage-gated sodium channel gene was amplified and sequenced from both RR-indox and WH-SS. An amino acid substitution from leucine (CTT) in WH-SS to phenylalanine (TTT) in RR-indox was observed at site 1014. These results show the resistance mechanisms of S. exigua to indoxacarb to be associated with glutathione S-transferase, carboxylesterase and a Leu-1014-Phe mutation.     

Resistance selection and biochemical characterization of spinosad resistance in Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

A Helicoverpa armigera population was collected from Shandong province, China. After 15 generations of selection in the laboratory, the H. armigera strain developed more than 20-fold resistance to spinosad. At LD₅₀ level, no significant cross-resistance was found between spinosad and chlorpyrifos, methomyl, avermectin and chlorfenapyr except for fenvalerate with a low cross-resistance of 2.4-fold. However, LD₉₉ values of fenvalerate against the parental and resistant strains were not different significantly. After inhibitors were used, spinosad resistance could be partially suppressed by piperonylbutoxide (PBO) and triphenylphosphate (TPP), but not by diethylmaleate (DEM). Activities of p-nitroanisole O-demethylase (ODM) developed to 8.26-fold compared with the parental strain, but no obvious changes were found in activities of carboxyl esterase (CarE) and glutathione-S-transferase (GST). The results indicated that resistance to spinosad in the cotton bollworm might be associated with an increase in cytochrome P450 monooxygenase.     

小菜蛾对唑虫酰胺的抗性监测、抗性生化机制及交互抗性

为了明确小菜蛾Plutella xylostella对唑虫酰胺的抗性特征,采用生物生化方法测定了江西省5个蔬菜产区小菜蛾田间种群对唑虫酰胺的抗性水平,并研究了小菜蛾唑虫酰胺抗性品系对其它药剂的交互抗性和生化抗性机制。结果显示,分宜县和高安市小菜蛾田间种群对唑虫酰胺尚未产生明显抗性,永丰县、德安县和余江县小菜蛾种群对唑虫酰胺产生了低水平的抗性,抗性倍数为5.20~8.20倍;小菜蛾唑虫酰胺抗性品系对阿维菌素、氯虫苯甲酰胺、氟虫双酰胺和茚虫威有中低水平的交互抗性,抗性倍数分别为11.72、3.44、2.77和2.20倍,而对溴虫腈、定虫隆和丁醚脲无交互抗性;增效剂磷酸三苯酯和胡椒基丁醚对小菜蛾唑虫酰胺抗性品系均有显著增效作用,增效倍数分别为3.42倍和2.64倍;唑虫酰胺抗性品系的酯酶和多功能氧化酶活性均显著提高,分别为敏感品系的2.18倍和1.64倍。研究表明,小菜蛾对唑虫酰胺产生抗性可能与酯酶和多功能氧化酶活性的升高有关。     

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