Modern Techniques in Colorado Potato Beetle (Leptinotarsa decemlineata Say) Control and Resistance Management: History Review and Future Perspectives

Abstract

Colorado potato beetle, CPB (Leptinotarsa decemlineata Say), is one of the most important pests of the potato globally. Larvae and adults can cause complete defoliation of potato plant leaves and can lead to a large yield loss. The insect has been successfully suppressed by insecticides; however, over time, has developed resistance to insecticides from various chemical groups, and its once successful control has diminished. The number of available active chemical control substances is decreasing with the process of testing, and registering new products on the market are time-consuming and expensive, with the possibility of resistance ever present. All of these concerns have led to the search for new methods to control CPB and efficient tools to assist with the detection of resistant variants and monitoring of resistant populations. Current strategies that may aid in slowing resistance include gene silencing by RNA interference (RNAi). RNAi, besides providing an efficient tool for gene functional studies, represents a safe, efficient, and eco-friendly strategy for CPB control. Genetically modified (GM) crops that produce the toxins of Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) have many advantages over agro-technical, mechanical, biological, and chemical measures. However, pest resistance that may occur and public acceptance of GM modified food crops are the main problems associated with Bt crops. Recent developments in the speed, cost, and accuracy of next generation sequencing are revolutionizing the discovery of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and field of population genomics. There is a need for effective resistance monitoring programs that are capable of the early detection of resistance and successful implementation of integrated resistance management (IRM). The main focus of this review is on new technologies for CPB control (RNAi) and tools (SNPs) for detection of resistant CPB populations.

Functional analysis ofABCGandABCHtransporters from the red flour beetle,Tribolium castaneum

“…The order Coleoptera includes many pest species that cause economic losses in agriculture and forestry. To control these insects, various insecticides belonging to different chemical classes are in use, including broad‐spectrum insecticides such as the organophosphate malathion or the pyrethroid cyfluthrin 52 . However, as in other insect orders, the sustainability of beetle control is compromised by the development of insecticide resistance, which involves behavioural resistance, reduced cuticular penetration, target‐site insensitivity and increased metabolic detoxification based on functionalization, hydrolytic cleavage, conjugation and transporters involved in sequestration and excretion 1, 53 …”

Difficulties in Potato Pest Control: The Case of Pyrethroids on Colorado Potato Beetle

“…In 1965, an endosulfan (organochlorine insecticide)-resistant CPB population was recorded for the first time [5]. The CPB resistance mechanism involved in defense against endosulfan is mainly metabolic, by increasing the enzymatic activity and increasing the number of enzymes: esterases, monooxygenases, and glutathione-S-transferase (Figure 3) [85].…”

“…Major pathogens (Phytophthora infestans, Alternaria solani, Thanatephorus cucumeris), viruses (potato leafroll virus, potato virus Y) and animal pests (potato cyst nematodes, Colorado beetle, Phthorimaea operculella) are widely distributed, which can wreak havoc on potato fields if left uncontrolled. Without crop protection almost 75% of potato production would be lost [4,5].…”

Pest categorisation of Leptinotarsa decemlineata

“…Despite a long history of developing resistance to insecticides, the management of L. decemlineata is still strongly dependent on the use of chemical pesticides (Alyokhin, 2009;Alyokhin et al, 2013b;Kadoi c Bala sko et al, 2020) Fumigation of potatoes, timber and grain can be effective against L. decemlineata (EPPO, 2018) Establishment, impact 4.…”