The joint action of insect growth regulators and insecticides on strains of Spodoptera littoralis Boisd. That are susceptible or resistant to aminocarb

An investigation was made of the action of the juvenile hormone analogues (JHAs) methoprene (ZR-515) and 3-[5-(4-ethylphenoxy)-3-methylpent-3-enyl]-2, 2-dimethyloxirane (R-20458), and the insecticides chlorpyrifos and methomyl, when applied, separately or in combination, to the late insect stages of susceptible (S) and aminocarb-resistant (R_m) strains of Spodoptera littoralis Boisd. Sixth-instar larvae of the R_m strain showed detectable levels of cross-resistance to chlorpyrifos, methomyl and R-20458. However, cross-resistance to methoprene was less pronounced in the R_m strain. Treatment of the same instar with the ED₅₀ of methoprene produced an appreciable level of sterility in the S strain, but this level decreased in the R_m strain. Similar treatment with R-20458 caused a lower level of sterility in the S strain and the R_m strain was less affected. In the S strain, the ED₂₅ of either chlorpyrifos or methomyl when applied simultaneously with the ED₂₅ of R-20458, produced an antagonistic effect and the R_m strain was more capable of resisting the joint action of these compounds. The treatment, ED₂₅ chlorpyrifos + ED₂₅ methoprene produced an additive effect on the S strain, while the R_m strain tolerated their combined action. Nevertheless, the treatment, ED₂₅ methomyl + ED₂₅ methoprene produced additive effects on both the S and R_m strains. The prepupae of the R_m strain tolerated the action of the insecticides methomyl and chlorpyrifos. A similar pattern of cross-resistance was also detected against the action of the two hormones at the ED₂₅ level, while at the ED₂₅ level, both the S and R_m strains were almost equally sensitive to the action of the two juvenoids. Chlorpyrifos-JHA combinations produced additive effects on prepupae of the S strain while the R_m strain completely resisted their joint action. Methomyl-JHA combinations produced high potentiation in the S strain, but the R_m strain remained insensitive to their joint action. Detectable levels of tolerance to the action of chlorpyrifos and methomyl at the ED₂₅ and ED₅₀ levels were indicated in 2-day-old pupae of the R_m strain. This was less evident in the case of JHAs, particularly methoprene, which was to some extent equally effective on both strains; the reproductive ability of the S and R_m strains was highly affected by this compound. The pupae of the R_m strains were equally as affected as those of the S strain by the combination ED₂₅ chlorpyrifos+ ED₂₅ R-20458. Nevertheless, the two strains showed antagonism to the action of chlorpyrifos with methoprene. A high level of potentiation was produced in the S strain to the combination of methomyl and R-20458 but the R_m strain was able to withstand their combined action. Of interest in this respect was the action of the combination of methomyl and methoprene, for which high levels of potentiation were detected in pupae of the S and R_m strains. This combination also Produced a high percentage of sterility in mated females of the R_m strain.