Organophosphate insecticides and acaricides antagonise bifenazate toxicity through esterase inhibition in Tetranychus urticae

BACKGROUND: Bifenazate is a carbazate acaricide known for its potency, particularly against tetranychid mite species such as the two-spotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae Koch (Acari: Tetranychidae). It was recently shown that the compound needs to be activated by an S,S,S-tributyl-phosphorotrithioate (DEF)-sensitive mechanism in spider mites to display full acaricidal efficacy. The ability of well-known organophosphates and carbamates to inhibit the activation of bifenazate and thus compromise its acaricidal potential was tested.RESULTS: Esterase activity determined in vivo after pre-exposure of mites with organophosphates and carbamates revealed--depending on the compound--varying esterase inhibition nicely correlated with the ability of the individual compound to antagonise bifenazate action on mites.CONCLUSIONS: The findings illustrate that organophosphates and carbamates interfere with bifenazate efficacy, most probably by inhibiting carboxylesterases responsible for the activation of the pro-drug. As a result of the strong antagonism, mixtures of bifenazate with carbamates or organophosphates should not be used under field conditions. Moreover, there exists a real threat in repeatedly applying organophosphates and bifenazate. The present study again illustrates how important mode of action information is for the proper planning of resistance management strategies.