Monitoring and characterization of diamondback moth (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae) resistance to spinosad

Fourteen populations of the diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella (L.), were collected from fields of crucifer vegetables in the United States, Mexico, and Thailand in 1999 and 2000 for susceptibility tests with spinosad. Most populations were susceptible to spinosad and similar to earlier baseline values, but populations from Thailand and Hawaii showed high levels of tolerance. A statewide survey in Hawaii in 2000 and 2001 indicated resistance problems on several islands. One colony collected in October 2000 from Pearl City, HI, was subjected to further selection pressure, using spinosad in the laboratory, and then was used as the resistant strain (Pearl-Sel) for other tests. Spray tests using the recommended field rates of spinosad on potted broccoli plants in the greenhouse confirmed that field control failures due to resistance were possible in the areas of these collections. Analysis of probit lines from F1 reciprocal crosses between the Pearl-Sel and S strain indicated that resistance to spinosad was inherited autosomally and was incompletely recessive. A direct test of monogenic inheritance based on the F1 x Pearl-Sel backcrosses suggested that resistance to spinosad was probably controlled by one locus. The synergists S,S,S-tributyl phosphorotrithioate and piperonyl butoxide did not enhance the toxicity of spinosad to the resistant colony, indicating metabolic mediated detoxification was probably not responsible for the spinosad resistance. Two field colonies in Hawaii that were resistant to spinosad were not cross-resistant to emamectin benzoate or indoxacarb. Resistance developed in Hawaii due to the continuous cultivation of crucifers in which as many as 50 applications of spinosad per year may have been made to a common population of P. xylostella in sequential plantings, although each grower might have used the labeled restrictions for resistance management. Resistance management strategies will need to address such cropping and pest management practices.     

Investigation of resistance mechanisms to fipronil in diamondback moth (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae)

The SZ-F strain of Plutella xylostella (L.) (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae) was derived from a field-collected strain (SZ) by 20 generations of continuous selection with fipronil. The selection resulted in 300-fold increase in resistance to fipronil, and 3.5- and 6.5-fold cross-resistance to dieldrin and endosulfan, respectively, in the SZ-F strain compared with the unselected SZ strain. Analysis of detoxification enzyme activities and bioassay with synergists indicated that metabolic mechanisms are not important to fipronil resistance of the SZ-F strain and that the fipronil resistance is most likely attributed to target site insensitivity. The genomic DNA fragments flanking the second membrane-spanning region of Rdl gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptor gene from P. xylostella, PxRdl, were cloned and sequenced. A single allele of the PxRdl gene (encoding A302 or allele PxRdl-Ala) was found in both the Roth (susceptible) and SZ strains. In addition to the wild-type allele PxRdl-Ala, the resistant SZ-F strain carried a mutant PxRdl allele with the conserved amino acid replacement A302(GGC)--> S302(TCC) (allele PxRdl-Ser). The mutant PxRdl-Ser allele frequency in the SZ-F strain was 30%. After treatment of 20 mg/l fipronil on the SZ-F strain, the PxRdl-Ser allele frequency in the survivors increased to 57%. High frequency of the PxRdl-Ala allele remaining in the resistant SZ-F strain suggested that the A302S mutation in the PxRdl gene is partially associated with fipronil resistance and that other mutation(s) in the PxRdl gene or other Rdl-like subunit(s) may contribute to fipronil resistance.     

Comparative susceptibilities of diamondback moth (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae) and cabbage looper (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) from Minnesota and south Texas to lambda-cyhalothrin and indoxacarb

The susceptibility of early instars of diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella (L.), and early (first and second) and late instars (third and fourth) of cabbage looper, Trichoplusia ni (Hübner), from Minnesota and south Texas, to indoxacarb and lambda-cyhalothrin was determined in the laboratory. Susceptibilities of the two species from the two geographical locations to indoxacarb and lambda-cyhalothrin varied greatly. P. xylostella from Minnesota was as susceptible to indoxacarb as those from south Texas, whereas both early and late instar T. ni from south Texas were significantly more tolerant to indoxacarb than those from Minnesota. The LC50 values of indoxacarb for early and later instar T. ni at 48 h from south Texas were 4.3- and 34.0-fold greater than those from Minnesota, respectively. Similarly, early instar P. xylostella and late instar T. ni from south Texas were significantly less susceptible to lambda-cyhalothrin than those from Minnesota. Percentage mortality of the two insect species caused by the two insecticides varied with time of exposure and generally exhibited similar patterns of responses to different concentrations for each insecticide.     

Temperature-related fitness costs of resistance to spinosad in the diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella (Lepidoptera: Plutelidae)

Fitness costs associated with resistance genes expressed in the absence of insecticides affect the evolution of insecticide resistance and the outcome of resistance management programmes. However, measurements of fitness costs may not be straightforward as they vary with environmental conditions. The diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella L. (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae), has developed resistance to spinosad, the first insecticide of the Naturalyte class, after only a few years of field application of this product. In this study, we compared the performance of two homogenous strains of P. xylostella, one susceptible (SS) and the other resistant (RR) to spinosad at an unfavourable, low natural temperature regime, a favourable median-fluctuating temperature regime and an unfavourable high-fluctuating temperature regime. The RR strain showed only marginal fitness cost at the median temperature regime. At the low temperature regime, the RR strain failed to produce any viable offspring, while the SS strain achieved positive population growth. At the high temperature regime, the RR strain showed a 33% decrease in intrinsic rate of increase compared to the SS strain. The results demonstrate that fitness costs of resistance to spinosad are temperature-dependent, increasing in scale at unfavourably low and high temperatures; costs were particularly high at low temperatures. Suggestions for designing effective management programmes are made to delay or avoid development of resistance to spinosad by P. xylostella under different temperature conditions.     

Evaluating trap crops for diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae)

Potential trap crops for the diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella (L.) (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae), were evaluated through a series of ovipositional preference and larval survival experiments in outdoor screenhouses in 2002 and 2003. Hosts examined as trap crops were glossy and waxy collards, Brassica oleracea L. variety acephala; Indian mustard, Brassica juncea (L.) Czern; and yellow rocket, Barbarea vulgaris (R. Br.) variety arcuata. More eggs were laid on the potential trap crops, with the exception of waxy collards, than on cabbage. When P. xylostella was offered multiple hosts at the same time, numbers of eggs laid on glossy collards, Indian mustard, and yellow rocket were 3, 18, and 12 times greater than on cabbage, respectively. Similarly, when P. xylostella was offered a single trap crop host and cabbage, numbers of eggs laid on glossy collards, Indian mustard, and yellow rocket were 300, 19, and 110 times greater than on cabbage, respectively. Our studies suggest differences in oviposition between the potential trap crops and cabbage were likely due to host volatiles, leaf morphology and color, or a combination of these factors, rather than to total leaf areas, leaf shape, or plant architecture. Two-choice tests with a Y-tube olfactometer indicated that plant volatiles were major factors in P. xylostella host preference. The percentage larval survival from egg to pupation was 22.2% on cabbage, 18.9% on waxy collards, and 24.4% on Indian mustard, whereas survival was significantly lower on glossy collards (6.7%) and yellow rocket (0%). Based on our tests, it seems that yellow rocket may be the best candidate for use as a trap crop for P. xylostella because it is highly attractive for oviposition, but larvae do not survive on it.     

Functional and genetic characteristics of Chlorantraniliprole resistance in the diamondback moth,Plutella xylostella (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae)

The diamondback moth (Plutella xylostella) is a globally distributed and important economic pest, and it has developed resistance to all conventional insecticide classes used in the field. Chlorantraniliprole is a new chemical class of insecticide that acts as a conformation‐sensitive activator of the insect ryanodine receptor (RyR). In the present study, a field strain (16.3‐fold resistance to chlorantraniliprole) was collected in Korea and lab‐selected with chlorantraniliprole for more than one year. The resulting strain presented 2,157‐fold resistance to chlorantraniliprole. A point mutation (G4946E) in the RyR gene was observed at a high frequency in the resistant strain. Enzyme assays indicated that glutathione S‐transferase (GST) and P450 activity in the resistant strain were 2.4‐ and 1.96‐times higher than that of the susceptible strain, respectively. The expression of the RyR, GST (sigma, omega, and zeta) and CYP321E1 gene was higher in the resistant strain than in the susceptible strain. The F₁ progeny resulting from reciprocal crosses did not reveal maternal effects or a diamide‐susceptible phenotype, which suggests an autosomal nearly recessive mode of inheritance. In addition, we surveyed the susceptibility to 13 insecticides (3 diamides, 2 synthetic pyrethroids, 2 spinosyns, 1 organophosphate, 1 oxadiazine, 1 avermectin, and 3 others) in the chlorantraniliprole‐resistant strain. The resistant strain exhibited high cross‐resistance to flubendiamide (5,910 fold) and showed no cross‐resistance to spinetoram, spinosad, indoxacarb, and metaflumizone. These results can serve as an important basis for guiding the use of insecticides in the field.     

Fipronil resistance in the diamondback moth (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae): inheritance and number of genes involved

Bioassays (at generation 1, G1) using fipronil, spinosad, indoxacarb, and Bacillus thuringiensis toxins Cry1Ac and Cry1Ca with a newly collected field population of Plutella xylostella (L.) from farmers fields in the Cameron Highlands, Malaysia, indicated a resistance ratio of approximately 400-, 1,170-, 330-, 2,840-, and 1,410-fold, respectively, compared with a laboratory-susceptible population of P. xylostella (ROTH). At G3, the field-derived population was divided into two subpopulations, one was selected (G3 to G7) with fipronil (fip-SEL), whereas the second was left unselected (UNSEL). Bioassays at G8 found that selection with fipronil gave a resistance ratio of approximately 490 compared with UNSEL and approximately 770 compared with ROTH. The resistance ratio for fipronil, spinosad, indoxacarb, Cry1Ac, and Cry1Ca in the UNSEL population declined significantly by G8. Logit regression analysis of F1 reciprocal crosses between fip-SEL (at G8) and UNSEL indicated that resistance to fipronil in the fip-SEL population was inherited as an autosomal, incompletely recessive (D(LC) = 0.37) trait. At the highest dose of fipronil tested, resistance was completely recessive, whereas at the lowest dose it was incompletely recessive. A direct test of monogenic inheritance based on a backcross of F1 progeny with fip-SEL suggested that resistance to fipronil was controlled by a single locus. The fip-SEL population at G8 showed little change in its response to spinosad and indoxacarb compared with G1, whereas its susceptibility to Cry1Ac and Cry1Ca increased markedly over the selection period. This suggests that there may be some low level of cross-resistance between fipronil, spinosad, and indoxacarb.     

Management of diamondback moth,Plutella xylostella (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae) by mating disruption

Abstract Field trials were conducted in China in 2008 and 2009 to evaluate the efficacy of mating disruption (MD) on diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella, in cabbage, Brassica oleracea var. capitata. Effectiveness was positively correlated with the MD dispenser density in the field. A density of 167 MD dispensers per ha produced an average population decrease of about 50% compared to the conventional‐practice field. Significant fewer males were captured in pheromone‐treated and conventional‐practice fields than in the blank control field, but the difference was not significant between the pheromone‐treated and conventional‐practice fields. In addition, fewer eggs and larvae were observed in pheromone‐treated fields. Our results suggest mating disruption coupled with minimal insecticidal supplements is a promising solution for resistance management and control of diamondback moth infestation.     

Indirect selection for increased susceptibility to permethrin in diamondback moth (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae)

We have been exploring the behavioral response ot insect pests to heterogeneous distribution of toxins (low dose with refugia), and its genetic correlation with physiological tolerance to these toxins. A field-collected population of diamondback moth, Plutella xylostellu (L.) (Lepidoptera Plutellidae), from Celeryville, OH, was selected with permethrin to determine whether low heterogeneous doses could lead to increased susceptibility to permethrin by selecting indirectly on behavior. Two replicates of each of three selection regimes: uniform high concentration hypothesized to result in increased physiological tolerance, heterogeneous low concentration hypothesized to result in increased susceptibility through indirect selection on behavior, and a control with no exposure to permethrin, were maintained in 1-in3 cages in a greenhouse, for 33 generations. All life stages of the diamondback moth were exposed to the selection regimes, and new generations were started with a random selection of pupae from the previous generation. Lines selected with uniform high concentrations developed 76-fold levels of resistance to permethrin by the 17th generation, with little changes thereafter. For generations 1-20, lines selected with heterogeneous low concentrations remained slightly lower in LC50 but not significantly different from the unselected control lines. Based on confidence intervals from probit analyses, the LC50 of the lines selected with heterogeneous low concentration, however, were significantly lower than those of the control lines in generations 21-33. Our results demonstrate that selection on behavioral responses can result in greater susceptibility than no selection at all, despite exposure to the toxin and ample genetic variation and potential for increased physiological tolerance. The implications of our findings, which are based on selection scenarios that could take place in field situations, are that behavioral responses can prevent and even decrease the levels of resistance in insect populations, an important result with respect to resistance and resistance management.     

Manipulating the attractiveness and suitability of hosts for diamondback moth (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae)

Ovipositional preference and larval survival of the diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella (L.), were compared among cabbage, Brassica oleracea L. variety capitata; glossy collards, Brassica oleracea L. variety acephala; and yellow rocket, Barbarea vulgaris (R. Br.) variety arcuata in different treatments of planting density, host plant age, intercropping, and water stress in 2003 and 2004. P. xylostella laid nearly twice as many eggs per plant in the high planting densities of glossy collards and yellow rocket than in the standard planting densities. Ovipositional preference was positively correlated with plant age in cabbage, glossy collards, and yellow rocket. Larval survival on cabbage was 1.9 times higher on 6-wk than on 12-wk-old plants, whereas larval survival on collards was 12.1 times higher on the younger plants. No larvae survived on either 6- or 12-wk-old yellow rocket plants. Intercropping cabbage with either tomato, Lycopersicon esculentum Mill., or fava bean, Vicia fava L., did not reduce the number of eggs laid on cabbage. No significant differences in oviposition were found between water-stressed and well-irrigated host plants treatments. Yet, P. xylostella larval survival on water-stressed cabbage was 2.1 times lower than on well-irrigated cabbage plants. Based on our findings, the effectiveness of trap crops of glossy collards and yellow rocket could be enhanced by integrating the use of higher planting densities in the trap crop than in the main crop and seeding of the trap crop earlier than the main crop.     

羧酸酯酶介导的小菜蛾对氟虫腈的抗性

【目的】羧酸酯酶（carboxylesterases, CarEs）是昆虫重要的解毒代谢酶之一,可以介导靶标昆虫对多种杀虫剂的代谢抗性。本研究检测了羧酸酯酶对小菜蛾Plutella xylostella 抗药性的介导功能,旨在阐明羧酸酯酶在小菜蛾代谢解毒中的生理生化和分子机理。【方法】采用点滴法测定氟虫腈对小菜蛾敏感种群和抗氟虫腈种群的毒力,以及羧酸酯酶抑制剂磷酸三苯酯（triphenyl phosphate, TPP）对氟虫腈的增效作用;以LC₃₀和LC₅₀浓度的氟虫腈处理抗性小菜蛾,测定药剂处理后CarEs酶活性的变化;利用qRT-PCR技术分析Pxae22和Pxae31两个基因在小菜蛾不同发育阶段、组织和种群的表达模式;利用dsRNA干扰Pxae22和Pxae31后观察基因的表达变化和小菜蛾3龄幼虫对药剂敏感性的变化。【结果】TPP可以削弱小菜蛾3龄幼虫对氟虫腈的抗性,增效倍数约为6倍;使用较低剂量（LC₃₀和LC₅₀）氟虫腈处理小菜蛾3龄幼虫后,处理组CarEs比活力明显高于对照,提示氟虫腈对小菜蛾CarEs活性具有诱导作用。对羧酸酯酶基因Pxae22和Pxae31在小菜蛾不同发育阶段、4龄幼虫不同组织和不同种群3龄幼虫中的表达模式分析发现,这两个基因在小菜蛾4龄幼虫中的表达量最高;在4龄幼虫中以中肠组织中的表达量较高,头、表皮、脂肪体中的表达量很低; 抗性种群中的表达量显著高于敏感种群。通过干扰 Pxae22和 Pxae31后的qRT-PCR验证,两个基因的表达量均显著降低,进一步的氟虫腈毒力测定发现,干扰P xae22和 Pxae31后的小菜蛾3龄幼虫对氟虫腈的敏感性分别增加了1.63倍和1.73倍。【结论】羧酸酯酶在小菜蛾对氟虫腈解毒代谢中具有重要作用;Pxae22和Pxae31是小菜蛾的两个抗性相关基因,其表达水平的变化直接影响小菜蛾对氟虫腈的敏感性。     

Assessment of insecticide resistance after the outbreak of diamondback moth (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae) in California in 1997

During an outbreak of the diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella (L.), in California in 1997, nine populations were collected from the major broccoli areas throughout the state. Populations were assayed for their susceptibility to currently used materials (Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. kurstaki, permethrin, and methomyl) and to newer materials that had not yet been commercially used in California (spinosad, emamectin benzoate, and chlorfenapyr). For the currently used insecticides, elevated levels of resistance were seen only with permethrin and seven of the nine populations had tolerance ratios (TR) of > 100. With the newer chemistries, TR values were all < 15. To compare potential cross-tolerance, TR values of the currently used insecticides were compared with TR values of the newer insecticides. There were significant relationships found between: methomyl and emamectin benzoate, methomyl and spinosad, and permethrin and spinosad. Further biochemical studies are needed to confirm the actual mechanisms that lead to these relationships and field tests are needed to determine what impact, if any, such TR levels would have on control in the field. These data indicate that resistance to at least one of the commonly used insecticides (permethrin) may have played a role in the outbreak during 1997. However, other factors may have been at least equally important. The winter of 1996-1997 was warmer than normal, and during the period from February through August of 1997 the amount of rainfall was < 50% of normal. Hot and dry conditions are known to be conducive to outbreaks of P. xylostella. These data add to an overall knowledge about the geographic variation of resistance in P. xylostella populations within the United States. They also serve as a baseline for monitoring changes in susceptibility to these newer insecticides and can also help explain the occurrence of outbreaks caused by factors other than insecticide resistance.     

Using yellow rocket as a trap crop for diamondback moth (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae)

Yellow rocket, Barbarea vulgaris (R. Br.) variety arcuata, was evaluated as a trap crop for diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella (L.) (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae), in cabbage, Brassica oleracea L. variety capitata, in 2003 and 2004. In 2003, the numbers of P. xylostella larvae found in field plots of cabbage alone were 5.2-11.3 times higher than those on cabbage plants in plots that included cabbage and several rows of yellow rocket. In an outdoor experiment in screenhouses, P. xylostella oviposition on cabbage was compared among six treatments that varied in the percentage of yellow rocket in relation to cabbage (0, 4, 8, 16, 24, and 32% of the plants were yellow rocket). Results indicated that the percentage of eggs laid on cabbage decreased as the percentage of yellow rocket in the treatment increased, but this decrease was not significant beyond 20% of the plants being yellow rocket. In 2004, the numbers of P. xylostella larvae in field plots of cabbage alone were 1.6-2.4 and 1.7-2.8 times higher than numbers in treatments with 10 and 20% trap crop, respectively. Sticky trap and sweep net captures of P. xylostella adults indicated that within-field dispersal was reduced by the presence of yellow rocket and aggregation occurred around yellow rocket plants. Our study suggests that using yellow rocket as a trap crop may reduce P. xylostella infestations in cabbage fields, and this possibility is discussed in the context of general crop and insect pest management practices in crucifers.     

微小花蝽对小菜蛾捕食控制的能力

为了明确微小花蝽以小菜蛾卵做为饲料的适宜性及其对小菜蛾的控制能力,在室内以桃蚜作为参比猎物,研究捕食小菜蛾卵对微小花蝽生长发育、繁殖的影响,并结合捕食功能反应评价微小花蝽对小菜蛾的捕食能力.结果表明: 微小花蝽取食小菜蛾卵能够完成世代发育,并能够正常繁育后代.取食小菜蛾卵时,微小花蝽雌、雄若虫的历期(♀: 12.3 d,♂: 12.2 d)、成虫体长[♀: (2.13±0.01) mm,♂: (1.91±0.00) mm]、体宽[♀: (0.87±0.01) mm,♂: (0.71±0.01) mm]、单雌产卵量(12.7±1.1)、产卵前期[(5.1±0.6) d]和产卵期[(3.7±0.4) d]均与桃蚜处理组无显著差异;雌、雄成虫寿命[♀: (10.7±1.4) d,♂: (9.1±1.3) d]显著长于桃蚜处理组[♀: (8.5±0.5) d,♂: (6.4±0.3) d];若虫存活率[(65.0±6.8)%]不及桃蚜处理组[(80.0±8.2)%],且雌性比例偏低.微小花蝽对小菜蛾的捕食功能反应符合HollingⅡ型方程.微小花蝽1～5龄若虫对小菜蛾卵的日均最大捕食量(N_max)分别为7.5、16.3、23.3、29.1和38.7粒;雌、雄成虫的日均最大捕食量分别为39.0和26.9粒;5龄若虫对小菜蛾低龄幼虫的日均最大捕食量为41.3头;雌、雄成虫的日均最大捕食量分别为40.8和23.9头.单头雌、雄微小花蝽一生中最多可捕食小菜蛾卵(711.3±58.1)和(535.4±30.6)粒,小菜蛾低龄幼虫(371.9±52.0)和(253.9±32.3)头.微小花蝽以小菜蛾卵饲养可行,且对小菜蛾具有良好的控制作用.     

Oviposition site selection by the diamondback moth,Plutella xylostella (L.) (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae)

AlthoughPlutella xylostella (L.) is a worldwide pest of cruciferous crops, relatively little is known about its oviposition behaviour. This study was undertaken to provide necessary information about mechanisms involved inP. xylostella host selection. Four oviposition behaviours were described. Moths were given artificial substrates treated with water, sinigrin, orBrassica napus (cv. Westar) squashes, combined withB. napus volatiles and/or grooves in the substrate. No eggs were deposited in the absence of olfactory and gustatory stimuli. Moths given gustatory but not olfactory stimuli deposited similar numbers of eggs but spent significantly more time performing olfactory-related behaviours. Conversely, moths given olfactory but not gustatory stimuli did not oviposit.SSubstrate grooves did not influence egg numbers but appeared to influence egg location. The order in which oviposition behaviours occurs and the relative importance of stimuli type are discussed.     

Baseline toxicity of emamectin and spinosad to Helicoverpa armigera (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) for resistance monitoring

Acute toxicity studies of emamectin and spinosad against Helicoverpa armigera revealed that the pest is highly susceptible to both the insecticides. The median lethal dose (LD₅₀) of emamectin is 3.86 × 10⁻³ µg per larva. The median lethal concentrations (LC₅₀) of emamectin and spinosad were found to be 0.09 and 2.94 ppm, respectively. The discriminating doses were fixed based on the LC₉₅ of the susceptible population of H. armigera as 0.80 ppm for emamectin and 10 ppm for spinosad. Resistance was not observed when the discriminating doses of emamectin and spinosad were applied on field-collected populations of H. armigera from two intensive cotton growing areas, Coimbatore and Madurai, India.     

Genetic, biochemical, and physiological characterization of spinosad resistance in Plutella xylostella (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae)

Bioassays (at generation G2) with a newly collected field population (designated MN) of Plutella xylostella (L.) (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae) from Multan, Pakistan, indicated resistance to spinosad, indoxacarb, deltamethrin, abamectin, and acetamiprid. At G2 the field-derived population was divided into two subpopulations, one was selected (G2 to G11) with spinosad (Spino-SEL), whereas the second was left unselected (UNSEL). A significant reduction in the resistance ratio for each compound was observed in UNSEL at G12, indicating that the observed resistance to each insecticide was unstable. For Spino-SEL, bioassays at G12 found that selection with spinosad gave a resistance ratio of 283 compared with MN at G2. The resistance to indoxacarb and acetamiprid in the Spino-SEL population increased to 13- and 67-fold, respectively, compared with MN at G2. The toxicity of deltamethrin to Spino-SEL was similar to its toxicity to the MN population at G2. This suggests that spinosad selection maintained the otherwise unstable resistance to the compound. In contrast, resistance to abamectin decreased significantly from G2 to G12 in Spino-SEL. Logit regression analysis of F1 reciprocal crosses between Spino-SEL and the susceptible Lab-UK indicated that resistance to spinosad was inherited as an autosomal, incompletely recessive trait. The spinosad resistance allele significantly delays the developmental time, reduced pupal weight, number of eggs laid, and number of eggs hatched compared with Lab-UK. Further analysis suggests Spino-SEL exhibited a significantly lower intrinsic rate of population increase (r(m)) to all other populations tested.     

小菜蛾鞣化激素基因克隆及其功能分析

鞣化激素是调节昆虫表皮骨化和翅膀发育的一种神经激素, 尽管已经在许多不同种昆虫上克隆了鞣化激素基因, 但是关于小菜蛾 Plutella xylostella鞣化激素及其基因的研究至今未见报道。本研究克隆了两个小菜蛾鞣化激素基因Pxbursα和Pxbursβ （GenBank 登录号分别为KF498645和KF498646）全长cDNA, 其序列长度分别为537 bp和360 bp, 与已报道的其他昆虫的鞣化激素氨基酸序列一致性分别为51%~68% 和37%~57%。实时定量PCR分析发现Pxbursα和Pxbursβ均在蛹期表达量高, 而在幼虫期和成虫期的表达量低。以Pxbursα部分序列的双链RNA（dsRNA）饲喂小菜蛾4龄末期幼虫, 发现蛹期Pxbursα的表达受到了显著抑制, 小菜蛾的发育停滞在蛹期而无法正常羽化, 并最终死亡。由此推测, 小菜蛾鞣化激素基因在蛹期的大量表达对其生长发育和羽化具有重要的作用。