Monitoring the susceptibility of Bemisia tabaci Middle East-Asia Minor 1 (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) to afidopyropen, cyantraniliprole, dinotefuran, and flupyradifurone in south Florida vegetable fields

Abstract

Bemisia tabaci Middle East-Asia Minor 1 (MEAM1) is a significant pest that damages a wide range of high-value vegetable crops in south Florida. This pest has demonstrated the ability to develop resistance to various insecticide groups worldwide. Monitoring the resistance levels of MEAM1 populations and maintaining baseline susceptibility data are crucial for the long-term effectiveness of insecticide management strategies. We conducted serial dilution bioassays on 15 field populations of MEAM1 collected in south Florida to assess their resistance to 4 key insecticides: afidopyropen, cyantraniliprole, dinotefuran, and flupyradifurone. To quantify resistance levels, resistance ratios (RR) were generated by comparing the LC50 values of field populations to those of a known susceptible MEAM1 colony reared in the laboratory. Our findings reveal that all field-collected populations were susceptible to dinotefuran (RR 1–8) and flupyradifurone (RR 2–8). While over 80% of the populations tested were susceptible to afidopyropen (RR 1–9), 2 populations exhibited low (RR 38) and moderate resistance (RR 51), respectively. In contrast, most of the populations (57%) showed low to moderate resistance to cyantraniliprole (RR 21–78), and the remaining populations were susceptible (RR 3–10). The 2 populations with resistance to afidopyropen also exhibited moderate resistance to cyantraniliprole. Further research in this direction can aid in refining insecticide resistance management programs in Florida and other regions where B. tabaci MEAM1 is a major pest. Exploring the implications of these findings will be essential for insecticide use and integrated pest management strategies in south Florida.

Evaluation of Biopesticides for Management of Bemisia tabaci Middle East-Asia Minor 1 (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) in Florida

“…However, cyantraniliprole may not be sufficient to completely manage MEAM1 populations and TYLCV transmission under higher pest densities [ 18 ]. The rise in resistance to cyantraniliprole is a growing concern in southern U.S. A recent study observed low to moderate levels of MEAM1 resistance to cyantraniliprole in Florida, particularly in Hillsborough County where our trials were conducted [ 23 ]. This emerging resistance is further supported by field scout data from Georgia, indicating a change in the efficacy response to cyantraniliprole and suggesting a potential rise in resistance to this insecticide [ 22 ].…”

“…The efficacy of afidopyropen against MEAM1 populations has not been extensively evaluated in Florida. However, a recent report indicates low to moderate resistance levels in two MEAM1 populations [ 23 ], including a population from Hillsborough County, the same County where we conducted our trials.…”

“…This insecticide offers a broader spectrum of pest control than group 4 insecticides; thus, it should be applied at later crop stages when caterpillars and leafminers may cause economic damage [ 18 ]. In Florida, cyantraniliprole became commercially available in 2014; however, low to moderate resistance to this insecticide has been reported in Florida and Georgia in less than a decade [ 22 , 23 ].…”

“…Afidopyropen is primarily translaminar, with limited systemic activity [ 33 , 34 ]. This insecticide became commercially available in Florida in 2018; nonetheless, different species within the B. tabaci complex exhibited some degree of resistance to afidopyropen in Florida [ 23 ] and across the globe [ 35 , 36 ]. Given the global trend of insecticide resistance, alternative integrated pest management (IPM) and insecticide resistance management (IRM) strategies are necessary to maintain the efficacy of synthetic insecticides, while providing sustainable pest management.…”