Evidence for resistance to pyrethroids and organophosphates in Plutella xylostella (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae) from Pakistan

The susceptibility of representative pyrethroid (cypermethrin, deltamethrin, lambdacyhalothrin, bifenthrin), organophosphate (chlorpyriphos, triazophos, profenophos) and new chemistry insecticides (spinosad, indoxacarb and emamectin) was investigated for 18 field populations of Plutella xylostella (Linnaeus) from three different zones in Pakistan. The LC(50) (mg ml(-1); 48 h) values of pyrethroids for various populations ranged from 0.19-1.88 for cypermethrin, 0.31-2.64 for deltamethrin, 0.08-1.16 for lambdacyhalothrin and 0.07-0.88 for bifenthrin. The LC(50) (mg ml(-1); 48 h) of organophosphates ranged from 0.52-5.67 for chlorpyriphos, 0.37-4.14 for triazophos and 0.03-2.65 for profenophos. The most probable reason for low toxicity of organophosphates and pyrethroids is the evolution of multiple resistance mechanisms; however, further studies are required to establish these mechanisms. When these same products were tested against a susceptible laboratory population (Lab-Pak), the new chemistry compounds were significantly more toxic than pyrethroids and organophosphates. The results are discussed in relation to integrated pest management and insecticide resistance management strategies for P. xylostella.