Resistance management for the tobacco-adapted form of the green peach aphid on tobacco
PI(s):
Semtner, Paul J
Investigators:
Sharakhov, Igor V, Reed, Thomas David, Bloomquist, Jeffrey R, Srigiriraju, Lakshmipathi
Abstract:
Studies are underway to establish baseline information on the toxicity of imidacloprid and acephate and to assess biochemical and genetic differences between tolerant and susceptible colonies of the tobacco-feeding form of the green peach aphid, Myzus persicae. We are evaluating colonies of two color morphs (red and green) of the aphid from farms located across the flue-cured and burley tobacco-producing regions of Virginia and eight other tobacco-producing states. So far, there have been moderate differences in toxicity (based on LC50 values) to imidacloprid (Admire) between the most susceptible and least susceptible colonies. Color morph appears to have no effect on resistance to imidacloprid. These tests are being continued to compare levels of tolerance among clones and to establish baselines that can be used to monitor for aphid resistance in the future.
Description:
The tobacco-feeding form of the green peach aphid, Myzus persicae
(Sulzer), is the most important insect pest of tobacco in Virginia
often reducing the value of untreated tobacco by more than 25%. As a group,
green peach aphids have developed resistance to more insecticides than any
other species of insect. The goal of this project is to determine
whether the tobacco-feeding form of the aphid is developing resistant to the
neonicotinoid, imidacloprid (Admire), and other insecticides and to establish
baseline data for future references. Imidaclopid has provided effective
control of aphids on tobacco since 1996 and it is now used on over 90% of the
tobacco acreage in Virginia.
Soon, the three most important insecticides to use as alternatives to
imidacloprid in resistance management programs may no longer be available for
use on tobacco. This loss would increase our reliance on
imidacloprid and other neonicotinoids and elevate the potential for the
development of neonicotinoid resistance in the tobacco-feeding form of the
green peach aphid. Research is underway to establish baseline
information on the toxicity of imidacloprid and acephate to the aphid and to
assess biochemical and genetic differences between tolerant and susceptible
clones of the aphid. In both 2004 and 2005, colonies of the two color morphs
of the aphid were sampled from across the flue-cured and burley tobacco
producing regions of Virginia (North
Carolina, and Georgia
in 2005).and tested for resistance to imidacloprid. We found greater than
60-fold differences in toxicity (based on LC50 values) to
imidacloprid between the most susceptible and the most tolerant colonies. We
will continue to assess resistance in the aphid and establish baseline data
that can be used to monitor for aphid resistance in 2007.
Description last modified at 2007-08-02 03:34:14.0.
Commodities:
Tobacco
Resources:
Agricultural Experiment Station Facilities, Entomology Laboratory - Southern Piedmont AREC, Facilities at Southern Piedmont and Southwest Virginia ARECs, Graduate Assistantship Opportunities, Greenhouses, Physiology Laboratories, Price Hall
Disciplines:
Genetics, Integrated Pest Management, Pesticides
Audiences:
Agribusiness, Commodity Groups, Extension Agents, Graduate Students, Producers, Researchers
