Resistance status of the carmine spider mite,Tetranychus cinnabarinus and the twospotted spider mite,Tetranychus urticae to selected acaricides on strawberries

The carmine spider mite, Tetranychus cinnabarinus (Boisduval) and the twospotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae Koch, are serious pests of strawberries and many other horticultural crops. Control of these pests has been heavily dependent upon chemical acaricides. Objectives of this study were to determine the resistance status of these two pest species to commonly used acaricides on strawberries in a year‐round intensive horticultural production region. LC₉₀ of abamectin for adult carmine spider mites was 4% whereas that for adult twospotted spider mites was 24% of the top label rate. LC_90s of spiromesifen, etoxazole, hexythiazox and bifenazate were 0.5%, 0.5%, 1.4% and 83% of their respective highest label rates for carmine spider mite eggs, 0.7%, 2.7%, 12.1% and 347% of their respective highest label rates for the nymphs. LC_90s of spiromesifen, etoxazole, hexythiazox and bifenazate were 4.6%, 11.1%, 310% and 62% of their respective highest label rates for twospotted spider mite eggs, 3%, 13%, 432,214% and 15% of their respective highest label rates for the nymphs. Our results suggest that T. cinnabarinus have developed resistance to bifenazate and that the T. urticae have developed resistance to hexythiazox. These results strongly emphasize the need to develop resistance management strategies in the region.     

Spider mite resistance to miticides in South Carolina strawberry and implications for improved integrated pest management

Tetranychus urticae Koch (Acari: Tetranychidae), twospotted spider mite, is a major secondary pest of strawberry and can cause significant yield loss. Tetranychus urticae is typically controlled using miticides, which has led to rapid resistance development. In South Carolina (USA), extension agents and growers have reported field failures of miticides (inadequate pest suppression), but resistance has not been quantitatively determined. In 2018, we determined the level of miticide resistance of six T. urticae populations found on strawberry across South Carolina. We examined efficacy of all miticides registered for use on US strawberry by conducting an initial diagnostic bioassay at 20% of the maximum labeled field rate. Any population?×?active ingredient combination resulting in?<?55% mortality was identified as ‘potentially resistant’ and concentration–response bioassays were then conducted to calculate LC₅₀ values for an individual population. These values were compared with those of a known-susceptible laboratory population to calculate resistance ratios (RR). Our results indicate that examined South Carolina populations of T. urticae from strawberry were highly resistant to bifenthrin (RR?=?100–60,000) and there was reduced susceptibility to fenbutatin-oxide (RR?=?25–123). The 'Sardinia' population had decreased abamectin susceptibility (RR?=?25). No resistance to hexythiazox, etoxazole, acequinocyl, bifenazate, fenpyroximate, spiromesifen, or cyflumetofen was found. Based on available data, it appears that miticide resistance is not a likely cause of field failures and issues related to application error and coverage should be investigated. Overall, this work supports the need to reduce the use of broad-spectrum pesticides and older products, in favor of newer miticide chemistries due to resistance issues.

     

Genetics of hexythiazox resistance in two spotted spider mite,Tetranychus urticae Koch

Genetic analysis of the QRPH strain of two spotted spider mite Tetranychus urticae Koch indicates that hexythiazox resistance in that strain is not sex linked and has a dominance factor of 0.152 (incomplete dominance). Hexythiazox resistance appears to be controlled by a single gene.This work contributes in part for the fulfilment of the requirements of the degree of PhD at the University of Sydney.     

The development of bifenthrin resistance in two-spotted spider mite (Acari: Tetranychidae) from Australian cotton

Bifenthrin (Talstar^®) was registered at the beginning of the 1993/94 season for control of Helicoverpa spp. and Tetranychus urticae in Australian cotton. Resistance was monitored in T. urticae following registration but despite the implementation of resistance management, resistance evolved in the 1996/97 cotton-growing season after only four seasons use. During the following three seasons resistance increased progressively both in level (from 1.2- to 109-fold at LC₅₀) and abundance (from 20 to 90% strains) and was linked to field control failures. The evolution of resistance has now reduced the reliability of bifenthrin for T. urticae control in Australian cotton. The impact of bifenthrin resistance in T. urticae and its continued management in Australian cotton is discussed.     

Resistance to clofentezine and hexythiazox inPanonychus ulmi from apples in Australia

The ovicides clofentezine and hexythiazox have been used in Australia againstPanonychus ulmi (Koch) since 1984 and 1987, respectively. Failure of clofentezine in the field againstP. ulmi was first reported in early 1988. In 1988–89, laboratory bioassays were carried out against susceptible reference strains, and discriminating doses for clofentezine and hexythiazox established. Suspected resistant strains were tested, as were randomly collected strains.Panonychus ulmi from 23 apple orchards in eastern Australia were found to be resistant to clofentezine, and 19 of these strains were also resistant to hexythiazox. In all cases, a total of four or more ovicide sprays had been used. Of 15 samples ofP. ulmi from blocks where less than four ovicides had been used, none were resistant to either clofentezine or hexythiazox. A survey of orchards in the Orange district of New South Wales found that 30% had received four or more ovicide sprays and were likely to experience resistance problems. The control problems with clofentezine and hexythiazox means the few remaining acaricides will be subject to extreme selection pressure.     

Resistance to acaricides in Italian strains of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Tetranychus urticae</Emphasis>: toxicological and enzymatic assays

Problems with Tetranychus urticae are frequently reported in protected crops in Italy, particularly in roses where many introduced acaricides show a progressive loss of effectiveness. We have conducted bioassays to assess the response of some Italian strains of T. urticae to a number of acaricides. These include compounds that were widespread and frequently used in the past, but also some recently registered compounds. We investigated two T. urticae strains collected from rose growers where control failures were reported (SAN and PSE), together with a strain collected from unsprayed vegetables (BOSA). Adult females of the rose strains (SAN and PSE) were resistant to tebufenpyrad (Resistant Ratio—RR, RR₅₀ = 48.4 and 163.6) and fenpyroximate (RR₅₀ = 74.1 and 25.9) when compared to the susceptible BOSA strain. Lethal concentrations for these products were higher than the registered field rate. The PSE strain proved to be highly resistant to abamectin (RR₅₀ = 1,294.1). Variation in bifenazate susceptibility was detected amongst strains, but LC₉₀ values of SAN and PSE were still in the range of the registered field rate. In egg bioassays, the SAN and PSE strains exhibited high resistance levels to clofentezine (RR₅₀ = 66,473 and 170,714), hexythiazox (RR₅₀ = 70,244 and 159,493) and flufenoxuron (RR₅₀ = 61.9 and 117.9). But the recently introduced ovi/larvicides etoxazole and spirodiclofen exhibited high activity on all strains. The activity of detoxifying enzymes such as esterases, glutathione-S-transferases (GSTs) and cytochrome P450 monooxygenases (MFOs) was determined in these strains as a preliminary attempt to identify potential resistance mechanisms. Enzymatic assays showed that the rose strains exhibited 2.66 and 1.95-fold increased MFOs activity compared to the susceptible strain. Assays for GSTs revealed that only the SAN strain exhibited a significantly higher activity. In contrast, only the PSE strain showed a significant higher hydrolysis of 1-naphthyl acetate.     

Development of acaricide resistance in Pacific spider mite (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Tetranychus pacificus</Emphasis>) from California vineyards

In recent years, grape growers in California reported failures of acaricides against Tetranychus pacificus McGregor. We collected T. pacificus populations from four vineyards and tested them for resistance to bifenazate, propargite and pyridaben. In addition, we sequenced part of the cytochrome b gene of bifenazate-resistant and -susceptible T. pacificus to test for the presence of mutations reported to confer resistance to the congeneric T. urticae. None of the mutations conferring resistance to bifenazate in T. urticae were present in resistant T. pacificus. Resistance levels ranged from full susceptibility to statistically significant 11-fold resistance to pyridaben, sevenfold resistance to bifenazate and fourfold resistance to propargite compared to a susceptible population. Despite the relatively low levels of resistance detected, we estimated that under the conditions of our study the highest field rates of bifenazate and pyridaben application would cause less than 58 and 66% mortality of adult females in the most resistant populations, respectively. In contrast, field rates of propargite application would cause close to 100% mortality in the least susceptible population. These results highlight a potential link between resistance development and reduced field effectiveness for bifenazate and pyridaben. Finally, T. pacificus may be more tolerant to bifenazate and propargite than T. urticae, since the LC₅₀ values for the susceptible population of T. pacificus were several times higher than LC₅₀’s reported for susceptible T. urticae.     

Evaluation of Resistance Pattern to Fenpyroximate and Pyridaben in Tetranychus Urticae collected from Ggreenhouses and Apple Orchards using Lethal Concentration-slope Relationship

This study aimed to monitor the present and future developments of the resistance of Tetranychus urticae Koch to fenpyroximate and pyridaben, using the relationship of the LC₅₀ and slope of the concentration-mortality line in a probit model, for the provision of reliable resistance management tactics. Tetranychus urticae populations were collected from 16 commercial greenhouses, where various crops were cultivated, as well as from 10 apple orchards throughout Korea. The resistance to fenpyroximate and pyridaben of each population was estimated by calculating the median lethal concentration (LC₅₀), resistance ratio (RR) and slope of the concentration-mortality regression. Most of the greenhouse populations exhibited moderate levels of resistance, whereas the apple orchard populations showed only low levels, indicating that T. urticae populations in greenhouses were more strongly selected than those in apple orchards. Four population groups were established based on either the habitats (greenhouse and apple orchard) or acaricides (fenpyroximate and pyridaben). To test the hypothesis, “the slope is greatest at low and high levels of resistance,” the slopes were regressed as a function of the LC₅₀, and fitted to a polynomial regression. The polynomial regression model explained this relationship well for the four population groups (p < 0.05), indicating that the development of resistance toward fenpyroximate or pyridaben was consistent with the gradient. A laboratory selection study agreed with the results from both acaricide field populations. These results suggest that the gradient was a good indicator of the susceptibility of T. urticae to genetic variations, which was related to the LC₅₀. The application of these findings is also discussed in relation to the resistance management of T. urticae.     

The Effects of Clofentezine on Life-table Parameters in Two-spotted Spider Mite Tetranychus urticae

Sublethal effects of the growth inhibitor, clofentezine, on life-table parameters of Tetranychus urticae Koch females treated at different developmental stages with a concentration causing ≥90% mortality were investigated. Females which survived treatment as ‘early’ (0–24 h old) eggs produced 12% more offspring than the untreated females during the first five days of oviposition. This resulted in a significant rise in the intrinsic rate of increase (r _j ): 0.324, compared to 0.299 in the untreated females. This effect may be interpreted as hormoligosis. Clofentezine treatment at any other developmental stage of T. urticae significantly decreased both longevity and fertility of female survivors. Females which survived treatment either as ‘late’ (72–96 h old) eggs or larvae had 2.6 times lower net reproductive rate (R ₀) than the untreated females, and the r _j values were significantly lower: 0.242 and 0.215, respectively (0.285 in the untreated females). Females which survived treatment either as protonymphs or deutonymphs had 3.9 times and 6 times lower R ₀, respectively. Corresponding r _j values were 0.178 and 0.146, respectively (0.247 in the untreated females). The clofentezine treatment at all stages influenced the age distribution of survivors. The sublethal effects of clofentezine and their impact on T. urticae management are discussed. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Effects of feeding frequency and sugar concentration on behavior and longevity of the adult aphid parasitoid: Aphidius ervi (Haliday) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae)

The effectiveness of the predatory mite, Phytoseiulus persimilis Athias-Henriot (Acari: Phytoseidae), as a suppressive agent of the twospotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae Koch (Acari: Tetranychidae), was evaluated on greenhouse ivy geraniums at predator:prey release ratios of 1:60, 1:20, and 1:4. Releases at each predator:prey ratio were made at moderate and high T. urticae densities to determine if initial pest population size influenced the suppressive ability of the predator. At ratios of 1:4 and 1:20, P. persimilis significantly reduced T. urticae populations 1 week after release and kept them at low levels thereafter. Plant damage also was significantly reduced at these densities. After 4 weeks, the P. persimilis that were released at a ratio of 1:4 consistently reduced T. urticae populations from densities as high as 30 T. urticae per leaf to fewer than 0.6 per leaf. We found no interaction between release ratio and T. urticae density, indicating that predator effectiveness remains constant, at least within the range of T. urticae densities used. Our work demonstrates the potential of P. persimilis to provide effective control of T. urticae on a greenhouse-grown floricultural crop at a moderately low predator:prey ratio (1:20) and over a range of initial pest densities. However, we recommend that P. persimilis be released at a ratio of 1:4 for greatest reliability and successful control of T. urticae on ivy geraniums.     

Lethal activity of beauvericin,a Beauveria bassiana mycotoxin,against the two‐spotted spider mites,Tetranychus urticae Koch

The entomopathogenic fungi Beauveria bassiana (Balsamo) Vuillemin is known to produce a broad range of secondary metabolites. Beauvericin, a cyclic hexadepsipeptide, is the best known mycotoxin produced by B. bassiana; however, reports discussing the insecticidal activity of beauvericin per se are limited. In this study, we assessed the lethal activity of beauvericin against Tetranychus urticae Koch (Acarina: Tetranychidae). In addition, screening for suitable application of the mycotoxin against T. urticae on greenhouse strawberries is discussed. Beauvericin was able to control successfully T. urticae where concentrations of 10, 100 and 1,000 µg/g recorded mortalities of 84%, 100% and 100%, respectively, against motile stages. Furthermore, beauvericin inhibited egg hatching up to 83.3%, 69.3% and 53.3%, respectively, using the same concentrations under laboratory conditions. Under greenhouse conditions, the efficacy recorded was 52.6%, 85.7%, 72.4% and 72.4% at 1, 3, 7 and 10 days post‐inoculation, respectively. Beauvericin was efficacious under greenhouse conditions since the application increased strawberry yields while showing no phytotoxicity and ecotoxicological risk. Resistance to beauvericin was not detected initially at the unselected strain of T. urticae. Yet, the laboratory selection of populations of T. urticae exposed to beauvericin resulted in relatively resistant T. urticae strain that displayed no cross‐resistance to cyflumetofen and bifenazate. The acaricidal activity of beauvericin documented in this study would increase the efficacy of integrated pest management strategies.     

Interactions among phytophagous mites, and introduced and naturally occurring predatory mites, on strawberry in the UK

In choice test experiments on strawberry leaf disc arenas the phytoseiid mites Neoseiulus californicus and N. cucumeris were more effective than Typhlodromus pyri as predators of the phytophagous mites Tetranychus urticae and Phytonemus pallidus. There were no preferences shown for either prey by any of these predators. In multiple predator leaf disc experiments both Phytoseiulus persimilis and N. cucumeris significantly reduced numbers of T. urticae eggs and active stages; this effect was seen when the two species were present alone or in combination with other predator species. Neoseiulus californicus was less effective at reducing T. urticae numbers, and T. pyri was not effective; no interaction between predator species was detected in these experiments. When T. urticae alone was present as prey on potted plants, P. persimilis and N. californicus were the only phytoseiids to significantly reduce T. urticae numbers. These two predator species provided effective control of T. urticae when P. pallidus was also present; however, none of the predators reduced numbers of P. pallidus. There were no significant negative interactions when different species of predators were present together on these potted plants. In field experiments, releases of both P. persimilis and N. cucumeris significantly reduced T. urticae numbers. However, there was a significant interaction between these predator species, leading to poorer control of T. urticae when both species were released together. These results show the importance of conducting predator/prey feeding tests at different spatial scales.     

Dispersal and gene flow of pesticide resistance traits in phytoseiid and tetranychid mites

Dispersal and gene flow of pesticide resistance traits in phytoseiid and tetranychid mites are discussed relative to their biologies and resistance management. The focus is on deciduous fruit-tree crops whereTyphlodromus pyri Scheuten andMetaseiulus occidentalis (Nesbitt) can effectively control spider mite pests. Oregon populations ofM. occidentalis were more dispersive thanT. pyri, as evidenced by movement to small apple trees placed inside and outside of commercial apple orchards. This difference was corroborated by the spatial distributions of organophosphate resistance in populations from sprayed orchards and nearby unsprayed habitats:T. pyri showed patchy, local patterns of resistance whileM. occidentalis showed more regional, homogeneous trends. Gene flow among populations was estimated from allozymic variation ofT. pyri. Intra- and inter-population genetic variation was high enough to prevent population differentiation. Thus, allozymic estimates of gene flow were higher than that indicated by pesticide resistance patterns.Dispersal inTetranychus urticae Koch is also discussed relative to resistance evolution. Immigration of resistant phenotypes from crops or other sprayed habitats can increase the frequency of resistance. Immigration of susceptible individuals from surrounding unsprayed habitat into a sprayed crop can slow resistance or lead to its reversion, depending on the level of gene flow between populations. Dispersal within crops can have the same effect if susceptibles come from a refuge. In pears, immigration of susceptibleT. urticae from nearby habitat and groundcover aided in reversion of organotin resistance. Experiments on resistance management tactics forT. urticae are discussed.     

Transovarial toxicity matters: lethal and sublethal effects of hexythiazox on the two-spotted spider mite (Acari: Tetranychidae)

The effects of hexythiazox on life-history traits and demographic parameters of Tetranychus urticae Koch (Acari: Tetranychidae) were evaluated using the age-stage two-sex life table (in fecundity-based and fertility-based variants), with emphasis on its transovarial toxicity. Hexythiazox was applied when T. urticae females were either in the preovipositional period or in the first day of oviposition. In the F₀ generation bioassay, treatments with concentrations of 50, 12.5 and 3.125 mg/l significantly reduced the longevity of females and their fecundity. These effects were mostly the result of mortality of treated females (18–23%) over the 24-h exposure period. Even though the net reproductive rate (R₀) decreased significantly, the intrinsic rate of increase (r), finite rate of increase (λ) and doubling time (D) were not significantly different from the control. The strongest transovarial toxic effect occurred within the first 4 days following treatment, when 52–89% of the eggs laid by treated females (96% in control) hatched. Fertility was significantly reduced by concentrations of 50, 12.5, 3.125, 0.781 and 0.195 mg/l. These concentrations caused significant reductions in R₀ (34–54%), r (12–24%) and λ (3–5%), whereas D was extended for 0.4–0.7 days. In the F₁ generation bioassay, 50, 12.5, 3.125, 0.781, 0.049 and 0.012 mg/l caused significant reductions in R₀ (34–92%), r (10–68%) and λ (3–17%), whereas extending D for 0.3–5.6 days. These effects were mostly the consequence of transovarial toxicity. Application of the fecundity-based life table underestimated population-level effects of hexythiazox on T. urticae.

     

Phytoseiulus persimilis response to herbivore-induced plant volatiles as a function of mite-days

The predatory mite, Phytoseiulus persimilis (Acari: Phytoseiidae), uses plant volatiles (i.e., airborne chemicals) triggered by feeding of their herbivorous prey, Tetranychus urticae (Acari: Tetranychidae), to help locate prey patches. The olfactory response of P. persimilis to prey-infested plants varies in direct relation to the population growth pattern of T. urticae on the plant; P. persimilis responds to plants until the spider mite population feeding on a plant collapses, after which infested plants do not attract predators. It has been suggested that this represents an early enemy-free period for T. urticae before the next generation of females is produced. We hypothesize that the mechanism behind the diminished response of predators is due to extensive leaf damage caused by T. urticae feeding, which reduces the production of volatiles irrespective of the collapse of T. urticae population on the plant. To test this hypothesis we investigated how the response of P. persimilis to prey-infested plants is affected by: 1) initial density of T. urticae, 2) duration of infestation, and 3) corresponding leaf damage due to T. urticae feeding. Specifically, we assessed the response of P. persimilis to plants infested with two T. urticae densities (20 or 40 per plant) after 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12 or 14 days. We also measured leaf damage on these plants. We found that predator response to T. urticae-infested plants can be quantified as a function of mite-days, which is a cumulative measure of the standing adult female mite population sampled and summed over time. That is, response to volatiles increased with increasing numbers of T. urticae per plant or with the length of time plant was infested by T. urticae, at least as long at the leaves were green. Predatory mites were significantly attracted to plants that were infested for 2 days with only 20 spider mites. This suggests that the enemy-free period might only provide a limited window of opportunity for T. urticae because relatively low numbers of T. urticae per plant can attract predators. Leaf damage also increased as a function of mite-days until the entire leaf was blanched. T. urticae populations decreased at this time, but predator response to volatiles dropped before the entire leaf was blanched and before the T. urticae population decreased. This result supports our hypothesis that predator response to plant volatiles is linked to and limited by the degree of leaf damage, and that the quantitative response to T. urticae populations occurs only within a range when plant quality has not been severely compromised.     

Host plant-mediated interactions between Tetranychus urticae and Eotetranychus carpini borealis (Acari: Tetranychidae)

Competitive interactions between Tetranychus urticae and Eotetranychus carpini borealis were investigated under laboratory and greenhouse conditions. When placed first to colonize red raspberry leaves, T. urticae caused extinction of E. carpini borealis populations. E. carpini borealis had detrimental effects on T. urticae but did not cause T. urticae population extinction. The area used by E. carpini borealis for egg deposition decreased with an increase in the number of T. urticae eggs. Red raspberry showed an induced response to T. urticae and E. carpini borealis feeding after two weeks of infestation. Population growth of each species was reduced on plants that were previously infested by conspecifics but inducible response by one species had no effects on the other species.     

Effects of acaricides,pyrethroids and predator distributions on populations of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Tetranychus urticae</Emphasis> in apple orchards

We sampled mites in three apple orchards in Nova Scotia, Canada, that had been inoculated with pyrethroid-resistant Typhlodromus pyri and had a history of Tetranychus urticae outbreaks. The objective of this study was to monitor populations of T. urticae and phytoseiid predators on the ground and in trees and to track dispersal between the two habitats. Pesticides were the chief cause of differences in mite dynamics between orchards. In two orchards, application of favourably selective acaricides (abamectin, clofentezine) in 2002, coupled with predation by T. pyri in trees and Neoseiulus fallacis in ground cover, decreased high T. urticae counts and suppressed Panonychus ulmi. By 2003 phytoseiids kept the tetranychids at low levels. In a third orchard, application of pyrethroids (cypermethrin, lambda-cyhalothrin), plus an unfavourably selective acaricide (pyridaben) in 2003, suppressed phytoseiids, allowing exponential increases of T. urticae in the ground cover and in tree canopies. By 2004 however, increasing numbers of T. pyri and application of clofentezine strongly reduced densities of T. urticae in tree canopies despite high numbers crawling up from the ground cover. Another influence on T. urticae dynamics was the distribution of the phytoseiids, T. pyri and N. fallacis. When harsh pesticides were avoided, T. pyri were numerous in tree canopies. Conversely, only a few N. fallacis were found there, even when they were present in the ground cover and on tree trunks. Low numbers were sometimes due to pyrethroid applications or to scarcity of prey. Another factor was likely the abundance of T. pyri, which not only competes with N. fallacis, but also feeds on its larvae and nymphs. The scarcity of a specialist predator of spider mites in trees means that control of T. urticae largely depends on T. pyri, a generalist predator that is not particularly effective in regulating T. urticae. The Canadian Crown's right to retain a non-exclusive, royalty-free licence in and to any copyright is acknowledged.     

Predation-related odours reduce oviposition in a herbivorous mite

When adult females of the herbivorous mite, Tetranychus urticae, were exposed to the predatory mite, Phytoseiulus persimilis, they laid fewer eggs than females that had not been exposed to P. persimilis when transferred onto a new leaf patch. However, when T. urticae females were exposed to either products of P. persimilis or artificially damaged conspecific eggs on a leaf patch, the number of T. urticae eggs on a new leaf patch did not differ significantly from the control. The reduced oviposition was neither due to the feeding activity on the leaf patch with P. persimilis nor to that on the new leaf patch. There was also no significant difference between the number of T. urticae eggs produced on a new leaf patch following exposure to the odours of a neighbouring leaf patch where there had previously been either P. persimilis or T. urticae adults. However, female T. urticae that had been exposed to odours from neighbouring leaf patches on which both T. urticae and P. persimilis had been placed produced significantly fewer eggs on a new leaf patch than those that had not been exposed to such odours. Neither odours from neighbouring intact leaf patches on which T. urticae eggs were preyed on by P. persimilis, nor odours from a neighbouring Parafilm patch on which T. urticae was preyed on by P. persimilis affected the oviposition of T. urticae. These data suggest that the presence of T. urticae, P. persimilis and a leaf patch are needed for the emission of odours to reduce oviposition in T. urticae.     

Adaptation of acaricide stress facilitates Tetranychus urticae expanding against Tetranychus cinnabarinus in China

The two‐spotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae, and the carmine spider mite, Tetranychus cinnabarinus, are invasive and native species in China, respectively. Compared with T. cinnabarinus, T. urticae has expanded into most parts of China and has become the dominant species of spider mite since 1983, when it was first reported in China. However, the mechanism of the demographic conversion has not been illuminated. In this study, one T. urticae field population and one T. cinnabarinus field population were isolated from the same plant in the same field, and the toxicological characteristics were compared between these two species. Laboratory bioassays demonstrated that T. urticae was more tolerant to commonly used acaricides than T. cinnabarinus. The activities of detoxification enzymes were significantly greater in T. urticae, and the fold changes of enzymes activities in T. urticae were also greater following exposure to acaricides. Furthermore, more metabolism‐related genes were upregulated at a basal level, and more genes were induced in T. urticae following exposure to acaricides. The comparison of proteins and genes between both species led credence to the hypothesis that T. urticae was more resistant to acaricides, which was the reason explaining the expansion of invasive T. urticae against native T. cinnabarinus. Laboratory simulation experiments demonstrated that following the application of acaricides, the composition of a mixed T. urticae/T. cinnabarinus population would change from a T. cinnabarinus‐dominant to a T. urticae‐dominant population. This study not only reveals that T. urticae possesses stronger detoxification capacity than its sibling species T. cinnabarinus, which facilitated its persistent expansion in China, but also points to the need to accurately identify Tetranychus species and to develop species‐specific management strategies for these pests.     

Stability of Brevipalpus phoenicis (Geijskes) (Acari: Tenuipalpidae) resistance to hexythiazox in citrus groves

The false spider mite, Brevipalpus phoenicis (Geijskes), is one the most important pests of the citrus groves and transmits the citrus leprosis virus. The acaricide hexythiazox has been widely used for controlling B. phoenicis in citrus groves. The resistance of this species to hexythiazox has already been detected at high frequencies at some locations. In order to implement a resistance management program, studies were undertaken to understand the stability of the resistance of B. phoenicis to hexythiazox by 1) comparing the life-history of susceptible (S) and resistant (R) strains under laboratory conditions, and 2) evaluating the dynamics of hexythiazox resistance in citrus field plots with low (< 20%) and high (> 60%) frequency of resistance, during two years. The frequencies of resistance were estimated with direct contact bioassays on eggs with discriminating concentration of 18 mg of hexythiazox/L of water. There were no significant differences between S and R strains, based on biological parameters evaluated to build fertility life tables. However, the resistance of B. phoenicis to hexythiazox was unstable under field conditions; that is, significant reductions in the frequency of resistance were observed in the absence of selection pressure, either in citrus field plots with low or high frequency of resistance. Therefore, the instability of B. phoenicis resistance to hexythiazox can be exploited in resistance management programs.