Susceptibility of the summer fruit tortrix moth, Adoxophyes orana (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae), to chlorpyrifos and strategies for insecticidal control in orchards

The susceptibility of populations of the summer fruit tortrix moth, Adoxophyes orana, from apple orchards in Kent, England, to chlorpyrifos was determined in 1992, 1994 and 1995, by topically dosing larvae feeding on leaves or adults adhered to pheromone trap sticky bases. LD₅₀ values (range 6.3 to 23.2 ng chlorpyrifos per individual) for first or second generation males, second generation females or for first generation fourth instar larvae collected in the field were significantly greater (2–3 fold) for populations from orchards with a long history of treatment with broad-spectrum organophosphorous and other insecticides than for those from untreated orchards (range 1.6 to 8.1 ng chlorpyrifos per individual), though there was considerable variation between sites and years. Twelve replicated orchard experiments between 1993 and 1995 were used to examine a range of different strategies for insecticidal control. Applications of chlorpyrifos against overwintered larvae feeding in trusses in spring gave, at best, a 75% reduction in larval numbers, insufficient to prevent damage by the subsequent generation in summer. However, two applications of fenoxycarb (one immediately pre-and one immediately post-blossom of apple cv. Cox) completely prevented successful subsequent development of the pest, and a single (post-blossom) spray nearly so. The timing of application of chlorpyrifos against first generation larvae hatching from eggs in June was shown to be critical and currently used methods of spray-timing were unreliable. The effective persistence of chlorpyrifos was short (< 7 days). Though good control could be achieved with a single spray, a better strategy was to apply a series of sprays at 7-day intervals to cover the egg hatch period. Sprays of Bacillus thuringiensis at the same timing intervals gave, maximally, an 80% reduction in larval numbers, but usually less: improved control was not achieved by applying a programme of sprays compared to a single spray, though a novel, more potent, formulation was significantly more active. Triazophos was also effective as an egg hatch spray. Sprays of chlorpyrifos or tebufenozide between late September and mid-October 1995 against second or third instar larvae migrating to overwintering sites before diapause, failed to reduce significantly the numbers of subsequent overwintering larvae or the numbers that emerged to feed on blossom trusses in spring.     

Resistance of Spanish codling moth (Cydia pomonella) populations to insecticides and activity of detoxifying enzymatic systems

Resistance of codling moth, Cydia pomonella (L.) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae), to insecticides has become a major problem in many apple and pear production areas. Our aim was to determine the level of insecticide resistance in Spanish field populations. Seven field populations collected from apple, Malus domestica Borkhausen (Rosaceae), orchards, and three laboratory susceptible strains of codling moth were studied. Damage at harvest in all the conventional orchards from which codling moth populations were collected was higher than the economic threshold. The efficacy of eight insecticides, with five modes of action, was evaluated by topical application of the diagnostic concentrations on post‐diapausing larvae. The enzymatic activity of mixed‐function oxidases (MFOs), glutathione transferases (GSTs), and esterases (ESTs) was evaluated for each population. The susceptibility to insecticides and the biochemical activity of the three laboratory strains and one organic orchard population were not significantly different. Field populations were less susceptible to the tested insecticides than the susceptible strains, especially for azinphos‐methyl, diflubenzuron, fenoxycarb, and phosalone. The efficacy of all insecticides was significantly dependent on the activity of MFOs. Only the toxicity of the three insecticides most used in Spain when the populations were collected (azinphos‐methyl, fenoxycarb, and phosalone) was also dependent on the activity of ESTs and GSTs activity. We conclude that the control failures were because of the existence of populations resistant to the main insecticides used.     

Baseline monitoring of codling moth (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) larval response to benzoylhydrazine insecticides

A diet-incorporation larval bioassay was developed to measure the response of codling moth, Cydia pomonella (L.), to the benzoylhydrazine insecticides tebufenozide and methoxyfenozide. The bioassay tested neonates and third, fourth, and fifth instars from a laboratory colony and neonates and fourth instars from a pooled population collected from five certified-organic apple orchards. Bioassays were scored after 6 and 14 d. No differences between the laboratory and field population were found for either insecticide. Significant differences were found in the response of third and fifth instars between the 6 and 14 d bioassays, primarily due to a high proportion of moribund larvae in the shorter assay. Larval age had a significant effect in bioassays and was more pronounced in 6- versus 14-d tests. Fifth instars were significantly less susceptible to both insecticides than other stages, while responses of third and fourth instars were similar. The response of neonates was significantly different from third and fourth instars to tebufenozide but not with methoxyfenozide in the 14-d test. Field bioassays excluded the use of fifth instars and were scored after 14 d. LC50s estimated for 18 field-collected populations varied five- and ninefold for tebufenozide and methoxyfenozide, respectively. The responses of all but six field-collected populations were significantly different from the laboratory strain. Five of these six populations were collected from orchards with no history of organophosphate insecticide use. The LC50 for methoxyfenozide of one field-collected population reared in the laboratory for three generations declined fourfold, but was still significantly different from the laboratory population. These data suggest that transforming current codling moth management programs in Washington from a reliance on organophosphate insecticides to benzoylhydrazines may be difficult.     

Field trials of CpGV virus isolates overcoming resistance to CpGV-M

The Cydia pomonella granulovirus (CpGV) has been used for many years as biological agent for codling moth control in apple orchards. Resistance to the Mexican strain of CpGV was detected in orchards in Germany, France and Italy. A laboratory insect colony was started from insects collected in a French resistant orchard. It was named RGV. Various virus isolates were identified as active against this resistant insect colony. Field tests were carried out in 2007 to test if the two virus isolates CpGV-I12 and NPP-R1 were effective in the field. Although these virus isolates were not able to reduce insect caused fruit damages, they significantly reduced the overwintering insect populations. NPP-R1 was subjected to eight passages on RGV larvae (NPP-R1.8) that improved its biological activity on RGV larvae. 2008 field trials were set up to test this improved virus strain, compared to CpGV-I12 and Madex plus active on RGV. These tests confirmed the ability to control both in susceptible and resistant insect populations.     

The occurrence and distribution of resistance of codling moth to Cydia pomonella granulovirus in Europe

Thirty‐five codling moth (CM, Cydia pomonella L., Lepidoptera, Tortricidae) populations collected in different commercial orchards in six European countries were tested for their susceptibility to Cydia pomonella granulovirus (CpGV‐M). Including previously published data on CpGV‐M resistance, a total of 38 CM colonies showed considerably elevated LC₅₀ values, independent of the country origin. When only few test individuals are available, determination of mortality of neonate larvae at a discriminating concentration range of 10⁴ to 10⁶ OB/ml (>log4) as a direct measure of percentage susceptible individuals in a CM population is more advisable than calculation of LC₅₀ values. The >log4 mortality alone or in combination with the LC₅₀ value can be used for identification of resistance in a population. Results indicated a locally separated but widely spread occurrence of CM populations with low susceptibility to CpGV‐M. The most plausible hypothesis for the emergence of CpGV‐M resistance is its selection by repeated use of CpGV products.     

Synergism of tebufenozide in resistant and susceptible strains of obliquebanded leafroller (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) and resistance to new insecticides

Cross-resistance of the obliquebanded leafroller, Choristoneura rosaceana (Harris), to tebufenozide was reported from laboratory studies before it had been used in commercial orchards in New York State. Bioassays with obliquebanded leafroller larvae from tebufenozide and organophosphate susceptible and resistant colonies were conducted with chlorfenapyr, emamectin benzoate, fenoxycarb, fipronil, spinosad, and tebufenozide to determine if cross-resistance was present before these new insecticides were introduced into commercial orchards. Resistance ratios ranged from 1.1 to 3.2 for all insecticides except tebufenozide (12.8). Significant differences between susceptible and resistant colonies were found with emamectin benzoate, fenoxycarb, and fipronil. The effect of the metabolic synergists piperonyl butoxide (PBO) and diethyl maleate (DEM) on tebufenozide toxicity was examined to determine mechanisms for obliquebanded leafroller resistance to tebufenozide and potential mechanisms for other new insecticides. At a concentration of 20 ppm, PBO and DEM significantly synergized the toxicity of tebufenozide in resistant and susceptible colonies (three- to fourfold). Obliquebanded leafrollers may be resistant to new insecticides with distinct modes of action even if these compounds have not been previously used in commercial orchards.     

Apple damage, pest phenology, and factors influencing the efficacy of tebufenozide for control of obliquebanded leafroller (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae).

Fruit damage by obliquebanded leafroller, Choristoneura rosaceana (Harris), was examined on four different apple cultivars during 1997-1999 in heavily infested orchards in New York State. Inital fruit damage occurred 354+/-26 degree-days base 6 degrees C (DD6) after the first moth catch from the overwintering generation and continued to increase until after the typical spray season (approximately 1,300 DD6). In addition to apple damage by late instars, fruit damage occurred by early instars of the summer and overwintering generations. The insect growth regulator tebufenozide was used as a model insecticide to determine how a slow-acting insecticide and its relative toxicity to early (neonate) and late (fourth and fifth) instars may influence the efficacy of sprays for the control of the obliquebanded leafroller. Because tebufenozide is a slow-acting compound, bioassays were conducted to determine what percentage of the total mortality to neonates occurs at each 24 h interval until 10 d. Based on a polynomial regression, half of the total mortality to larvae at the LC25, LC50, LL90 and LC99 occurred at 7.2, 5.0, 4.1, and 3.0 d, respectively. Late instars were three times more tolerant to tebufenozide than neonates.     

Resistance levels ofTyphlodromus occidentalis (Acari: Phytoseiidae) from Washington apple orchards to ten pesticides

Nine Washington populations ofTyphlodromus (=Metaseiulus) occidentalis Nesbitt collected from commercial apple orchards were surveyed for resistance to ten pesticides. A susceptible population collected from wild blackberry which had no history of pesticide exposure was used in estimating resistance development. All populations from apple orchards were tolerant to high concentrations of azinphosmethyl, diazinon, endosulfan and propargite. Resistance was also apparent to these materials, especially for azinphosmethyl which produced over 100-fold resistance levels for several populations. Moderate to low levels of tolerance and resistance development were seen to field concentrations of cyhexatin, formetanate and carbaryl. Fenvalerate, methomyl and methidathion were all very toxic at field concentrations and little evidence of resistance development was apparent. The use of fenvalerate, methomyl or methidathion at a time whenT. occidentalis is active would likely abrogate favorable biological control of pestiferous orchard mites.Scientific Paper No. 7502     

Tools for resistance monitoring in oriental fruit moth (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) and first assessment in Brazilian populations

In southern Brazilian apple (Malus spp.) orchards, predominantly organophosphates are used to control the oriental fruit moth, Cydia molesta (Busck) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae), but control failures often occur. Therefore the susceptibility of three C. molesta Brazilian populations was investigated to five insecticides of different groups and modes of action, in comparison with a susceptible laboratory strain mass reared in southern France for >10 yr. At the same time, comparative biochemical and genetic analysis were performed, assessing the activities of the detoxification enzymatic systems and sequencing a gene of insecticide molecular target to find out markers associated with resistance. The three Brazilian populations were significantly resistant to chlorpyrifos ethyl compared with the reference strain. One of the field populations that had been frequently exposed to deltamethrin treatments showed significant decreasing susceptibility to this compound, whereas none of the three populations had loss of susceptibility to tebufenozide and thiacloprid compared with the reference strain. All three populations had slight but significant increases of glutathione transferase and carboxylesterases activities and significant decrease of specific acetylcholinesterase activities compared with the reference. Only the most resistant population to chlorpyriphos exhibited a significantly higher mixed function oxidase activity than the reference. The acetylcholinesterase of females was significantly less inhibited by carbaryl in the Brazilian populations than in the reference strain (1.7-2.5-fold), and this difference was not expressed in the male moth. However, no mutation in the MACE locus was detected. These biological and molecular characterizations of adaptive response to insecticides in C. molesta provide tools for early detection of insecticide resistance in field populations of this pest.     

Larval performance of the oriental fruit moth across fruits from primary and secondary hosts

A common characteristic of many invasive herbivorous insects is their ability to utilize a broad range of host plants. By using various hosts in phenological succession, multivoltine herbivores may increase the number of successful annual generations, at the same time as potentially increasing their overall fitness. To achieve such success, herbivores must be able to develop efficiently on the nutritional resources offered by their hosts. The oriental fruit moth Cydia (= Grapholita) molesta (Busck) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) is one of the most damaging invasive insect species. Peach (Prunus persica) is its primary host, whereas the pome fruits apple (Malus × domestica Borkh) and pear (Pyrus communis) are considered as secondary hosts. In many parts of its geographical range, including southern Europe, populations of the moth switch from peach to apple or pear orchards during the growing season. The present study tests whether this temporal switch is supported by the physiological capability of the larvae with respect to developing efficiently on fruits of these taxonomically‐related host plants. Larvae are reared on peach, apple or pear fruits; several life‐history traits are measured; and correlations between the traits are calculated. The results obtained show that larvae do not have the same physiological capability with respect to using apple or pear fruits as hosts compared with using peach fruit. Pear fruit in particular is a sub‐optimal diet. These findings suggest that, in the case of continuous geographical expansion, concomitantly with global warming, apple orchards might support oriental fruit moth populations better than pear orchards, and that the switch onto novel hosts might be accompanied by restricted population growth.     

Monitoring and mechanisms of organophosphate resistance in San Jose scale,Diaspidiotus perniciosus (Hemiptera: Diaspididae)

San Jose scale, Diaspidiotus perniciosus (Comstock), is a serious pest in Chilean apple tree orchards, and a number of organophosphate insecticides were used to control them for decades. Recently, control failures with these insecticides were reported and linked to insecticide resistance development. In this study, 40 San Jose scale field populations were collected and their susceptibility to two commonly used organophosphate insecticides, that is chlorpyrifos and methidathion, was assessed. The obtained bioassay data suggest moderate levels of resistance to both insecticides when compared to a reference susceptible strain. The highest resistance ratio (RR) detected for chlorpyrifos and methidathion was 31‐fold and 11‐fold, respectively. The bioassay results suggest the occurrence of a significant cross‐resistance between both compounds. Biochemical measurements revealed a role for esterases in conferring resistance to organophosphates, but not modified acetylcholinesterase. The spatial spread and extend of insecticide resistance were also evaluated. Our result shows that no autocorrelation can be assumed, and then, insecticide resistance is caused by random factors.     

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.     

Tebufenozide resistance is associated with sex‐linked inheritance in Plutella xylostella

The diamondback moth (DBM), Plutella xylostella (L.), is a major pest of cruciferous crops. Tebufenozide, a novel nonsteroidal ecdysone agonist, exhibits good efficacy and has played an increasingly important role in the control of Lepidopteran pests in China. For its resistance management, the genetic basis of tebufenozide resistance was studied using a laboratory selected resistant strain of DBM (resistant ratio, RR = 268). A series of crosses with laboratory susceptible and resistant strains revealed that tebufenozide resistance in this pest was partially biased toward female heredity, with a large difference in RR for F₁ (RR = 29) and rF₁ progeny (RR = 147). The dominance calculated for these 2 cross progeny was ?0.788 and 0.09, respectively. Further analysis showed that the susceptible male and female larvae were similar in their sensitivity to tebufenozide, but the resistant female larvae showed significantly higher resistance than the resistant male larvae. The heredity of tebufenozide resistance in DBM might be linked with the W sex chromosome, which suggested that DBM has the ability to develop high levels of resistance to tebufenozide. This is the first report of sex‐linked inheritance of tebufenozide resistance in P. xylostella (L.).     

Effects of field applied residues and length of exposure to tebufenozide on the obliquebanded leafroller (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae)

Studies were conducted with the obliquebanded leafroller, Choristoneura rosaceana (Harris), and tebufenozide to determine the influence of various factors on the efficacy of this insecticide under field conditions. Larvae were exposed to apple foliage collected from commercial orchards at different intervals after insecticide applications. Mortality of neonates on actively growing (terminal) and mature (spur) foliage 10 d after an airblast sprayer application of tebufenozide was 0 and 35-74%, respectively. Feeding by larvae was also assessed on collected foliage. There was significantly less feeding on tebufenozide-treated foliage than chlorpyrifos- and nontreated foliage (P < 0.05). In the second study, to determine the efficacy of tebufenozide in the absence of larval movement to terminals with sublethal residues, terminal foliage with obliquebanded leafroller larvae was collected from two commercial orchards 24 h after an airblast sprayer application of tebufenozide. After larvae were confined on this terminal foliage in the laboratory for 10 d, mortality was >90%. In the third study, to examine the effects of obliquebanded leafroller movement to foliage with sublethal residues, we designed a laboratory bioassay in which larvae were exposed to foliage treated with tebufenozide and transferred to untreated foliage after various exposure intervals. The higher the concentration of tebufenozide, the less exposure time was necessary to cause high levels of mortality of neonates. The terminal feeding behavior ofobliquebanded leafroller larvae, low residues on terminal foliage before the end of the typical 2-wk spray interval, and the length of exposure necessary for high levels of mortality may decrease the effectiveness of tebufenozide for obliquebanded leafroller control.     

Pro-active management of beet armyworm (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) resistance to tebufenozide and methoxyfenozide: baseline monitoring,risk assessment,and isolation of resistance

Susceptibility to tebufenozide and methoxyfenozide of beet armyworm [Spodoptera exigua (Hübner)] from the southern United States and Thailand was determined through exposure of first and third instars to dipped cotton leaves. Among the field populations evaluated, tebufenozide LC50 values for first and third instars, respectively, ranged from 0.377 to 4.41 and 4.37-46.6 microg (AI) /ml of solution. Methoxyfenozide LC50 values for first and third instars of field populations ranged from 0.058 to 0.487 and 0.601-3.83 microg (AI)/ml of solution. A Thailand field strain exhibiting reduced susceptibility to both compounds was subjected to intense laboratory selection for three nonconsecutive generations. At the LC50 and LC90, selected Thailand strains were 45-68 times and 150-1,500 times less susceptible to tebufenozide and 340-320 times and 120-67 times less susceptible to methoxyfenozide as first and third instars, respectively, when compared with the laboratory reference strain. Among the U.S. field populations evaluated, ones from Belle Glade, FL, and Florence, SC, were generally the most susceptible and ones from Maricopa and Parker, AZ, were the least susceptible. Selection of the Thailand field strain with tebufenozide reduced susceptibility to both compounds, and selection of Thailand strains previously pressured with either compound further reduced susceptibility to both, suggesting at least some commonality of resistance mechanism. Characterization of this resistance will provide information that will be helpful for pro-active management of resistance for this valuable group of insecticides.     

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.     

Effect of 20-hydroxyecdysone agonist, tebufenozide, on pre-and post-diapause larvae of Dendrolimus pini (L.)(Lep., Lasiocampidae)

Studies of the effects of a novel insect growth regulator (tebufenozide, RH 5992) in pest lepidopterans are extended to its influence on pre- and post-diapause larvae of the pine-tree lappet, Dendrolimus pini (L.) (Lep., Lasiocampidae). Larval diapause was induced under experimental conditions. The relation between the width of head capsule and each larval instar of the experimental populations is presented. The toxicity of tebufenozide applied topically and per os (orally), and its effects on feeding activity were examined. High doses and concentrations (≥100 ng/larva and ≥0.001%) of tebufenozide were toxic and reduced the feeding intensity in larvae of D. pini , however, post-diapause larvae were less sensitive to oral treatment with tebufenozide then pre-diapause insects. In pre-diapausing insects of the fourth instar a greater than four-fold fall in mortality was observed among the insects treated with low doses/ concentrations (0.1–10 ng/larva and 0.00001%–0.001%, respectively). A remarkable stimulatory effect on feeding behaviour was observed in pre-diapausing IV instar larvae when treated with tebufenozide topically, in a dose of 10 ng/larva. A possible ecdysteroid mimicking effect of tebufenozide onto feeding and mortality among diapause-destined D. pini is discussed.     

Effect of an ecdysteroid agonist, tebufenozide, on the completion of diapause in susceptible and resistant strains of the codling moth, Cydia pomonella

Codling moth Cydia pomonella (L.) (Lepidoptera, Tortricidae) larvae kept under a short photoperiod enter a diapause which can be broken by exposure to 25°C following an extended chilling period. We investigated the effects of the ecdysteroid agonist tebufenozide on the diapause of this species, both on a laboratory strain susceptible to insecticides and two strains selected for resistance to diflubenzuron or deltamethrin. The treatment induced moulting by breaking diapause of the susceptible strain when applied at the end of the growth period, or by reducing the pre-emergence period when applied after chilling. The strains exhibiting resistance in the neonate instar were also resistant to the ecdysteroid agonist applied to diapausing larvae, indicating that mechanisms of resistance remained active during this arrest of development. High doses of tebufenozide were lethal for the most resistant insects, but neither reduced the pupation delay nor produced the larval-pupal moults which occur in the susceptible strain. As diapausing larvae of C. pomonella can be easily collected, the expression of resistance to tebufenozide both in the target instar, i.e. neonates, and during diapause may contribute to early detection of resistance to this insecticide in field populations.     

Baseline responses of Alphitobius diaperinus (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) to spinosad, and susceptibility of broiler populations in Eastern and Southern Australia

Spinosad was proposed as a potential chemical for control of lesser mealworm, Alphitobius diaperinus (Panzer) (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae), in Australian broiler houses after the detection of strong cyfluthrin resistance in many beetle populations. In 2004-2006, spinosad susceptibility of 13 beetle populations from eastern and southern Australian broiler houses and a cyfluthrin/fenitrothion-resistant reference population was determined using topical application, and was compared with the susceptibility of an insecticide-susceptible reference population. Comparisons of dose-response curves and baseline data showed that all populations, including the insecticide-susceptible population, were roughly equivalent in their response to spinosad, indicating no preexisting spinosad resistance. Two field populations, including the resistant reference population, which had confirmed cyfluthrin/fenitrothion-resistance, showed no cross-resistance to spinosad. There was no significant correlation between beetle weight and LC9.9. A discriminating concentration of 3% spinosad was set to separate resistant and susceptible individuals. Considering the levels of spinosad resistance that have been recorded in other insect pests, the sustained future usefulness of spinosad as a broiler house treatment will rely on effective integrated beetle management programs combined with carefully planned chemical use strategies.     

Evolution of the population structure of Venturia inaequalis,the apple scab fungus,associated with the domestication of its host

Evaluating the impact of plant domestication on the population structure of the associated pathogens provides an opportunity to increase our understanding of how and why diseases emerge. Here, we investigated the evolution of the population structure of the apple scab fungus Venturia inaequalis in response to the domestication of its host. Inferences were drawn from multilocus microsatellite data obtained from samples collected on (i) the Central Asian Malus sieversii, the main progenitor of apple, (ii) the European crabapple, Malus sylvestris, a secondary progenitor of apple, and (iii) the cultivated apple, Malus×domestica, in orchards from Europe and Central Asia. Using clustering methods, we identified three distinct populations: (i) a large European population on domesticated and wild apples, (ii) a large Central Asian population on domesticated and wild apples in urban and agricultural areas, and (iii) a more geographically restricted population in M. sieversii forests growing in the eastern mountains of Kazakhstan. Unique allele richness and divergence time estimates supported a host‐tracking co‐evolutionary scenario in which this latter population represents a relict of the ancestral populations from which current populations found in human‐managed habitats were derived. Our analyses indicated that the domestication of apple induced a significant change in the genetic differentiation of populations of V. inaequalis in its centre of origin, but had little impact on its population dynamics and mating system. We discuss how the structure of the apple‐based agrosystem may have restricted changes in the population structure of the fungus in response to the domestication of its host.