Linkage between one of the polygenic hexythiazox resistance genes and an etoxazole resistance gene in the twospotted spider mite (Acari: Tetranychidae)

Genetic linkage between hexythiazox and etoxazole resistance loci was analyzed by crossing experiments. Two strains, one resistant (R) and the other susceptible (S) to both chemicals were established from field-collected Tetranychus urticae Koch (Acari: Tetranychidae) populations that were further selected in the laboratory. To analyze the recombination rate of the loci associated with resistance, we tested the ovicidal effects of a mixed solution of hexythiazox and etoxazole on haploid F2 eggs laid by F1 females from an R female x S male cross. This revealed tight or complete linkage between the hexythiazox and etoxazole resistance loci. We then assessed the number of loci associated with resistance to each acaricide based on mortality in the haploid F3 progeny (eggs) of F2 females from an F1 female (R x S) x S male testcross. The mortality rate indicated that etoxazole resistance was largely controlled by a single major locus, whereas hexythiazox resistance was controlled by more than one locus. Thus, one hexythiazox resistance locus was tightly or completely linked to the etoxazole resistance locus.