The tolerance of the lucerne flea, Sminthurus viridis (Collembola: Sminthuridae), to currently registered pesticides in Australia

Abstract

Sminthurus viridis (lucerne flea) is a major crop and pasture pest throughout southern regions of Australia that experience a Mediterranean type climate. It is particularly problematic at the establishment phase, and chemicals are currently the main option available to farmers for their control. Few studies have assessed the currently registered pesticides for the control of S. viridis, and rates of application are generally similar to the frequently co-occurring red-legged earth mite, Halotydeus destructor, despite few comparisons between species for their susceptibility being made. Here, we examine the response of S. viridis to six pesticides (a-cypermethrin, bifenthrin, omethoate, methidathion, chlorpyrifos and phosmet) and then directly compare them with H. destructor. S. viridis displayed similar dose-response curves for bifenthrin, omethoate, chlorpyrifos and phosmet. It had greater sensitivity to methidathion and greater tolerance to a-cypermethrin. S. viridis was found to be significantly more tolerant than H. destructor to all pesticides tested, with the exception of chlorpyrifos. This indicates that rates of application for control of S. viridis should be greater than H. destructor and that the organophosphates are likely to provide the most effective control of this pest.

The current status of pesticide resistance in Australian populations of the redlegged earth mite (Halotydeus destructor)

“…Bioassays were used to determine whether H. destructor populations differed in their response to chemicals. The method employed was a glass vial technique modified for earth mites by Hoffmann et al 11 This is a proven technique that has been used numerous times to examine the chemical responses of mites, including H. destructor 14–17. For each concentration tested, about 20 mL of solution was poured into a 40 mL glass vial and swirled to ensure a complete coating, with excess liquid removed.…”

Population Dynamics and Diapause Response of the Springtail Pest Sminthurus viridis (Collembola: Sminthuridae) in Southeastern Australia

“…As the results of this study highlight, monitoring can identify when populations are reaching damaging levels and when vulnerable life stages are present. Various spraying regimes have been suggested by previous authors, although multiple pesticide applications are still often required (Roberts et al 2009). Bishop et al (2001b) assessed several early season spraying regimes and found a single spray once S. viridis reached damaging levels to be an effective and economical strategy.…”

Escalating insecticide resistance in Australian grain pests: contributing factors, industry trends and management opportunities

“…(blue oat mite), species that are major grain pests and frequently targeted with insecticides because they attack crops at the vulnerable seedling stage . Recent studies have shown difficulties already exist when attempting to control these pests due to inherent tolerance to certain chemicals . Sminthurus viridis , for example, is sensitive to organophosphorus chemicals, but tolerant to pyrethroid chemicals .…”

“…20 Recent studies have shown difficulties already exist when attempting to control these pests due to inherent tolerance to certain chemicals. [21][22][23] Sminthurus viridis, for example, is sensitive to organophosphorus chemicals, but tolerant to pyrethroid chemicals. 24 There are few registered chemical options available to control S. viridis and Australian farmers rely almost exclusively on organophosphates.…”