DNA-based genotyping techniques for the detection of point mutations associated with insecticide resistance in Colorado potato beetle Leptinotarsa decemlineata

Does Leptinotarsa decemlineata larval survival after pesticide treatment depend on microbiome composition?

BACKGROUND

The microbiomes of some arthropods are believed to eliminate pesticides by chemical degradation or stimulation of the host immune system. The Colorado potato beetle (CPB; Leptinotarsa decemlineata) is an important agricultural pest with known resistance to used pesticides. We sought to analyze microbiome composition in CPB larvae from different sites and to identify the effect of pesticides on the microbiome of surviving and dead larvae after chlorpyrifos treatment in laboratory. Changes in the Lactococcus lactis community in larvae treated with chlorpyrifos and fed by potato leaves with L. lactis cover were studied by manipulative experiment. The microbiome was characterized by sequencing the 16S RNA gene.

RESULTS

The microbiome of L. decemlineata larvae is composed of a few operational taxonomic units (OTUs) (Enterobacteriaceae, Pseudocitrobacter, Acinetobacter, Pseudomonas, L. lactis, Enterococcus, Burkholderia and Spiroplasma leptinotarsae). The microbiome varied among the samples from eight sites and showed differences in profiles between surviving and dead larvae. The survival of larvae after chlorpyrifos treatment was correlated with a higher proportion of L. lactis sequences in the microbiome. The S. leptinotarsa profile also increased in the surviving larvae, but this OTU was not present in all sampling sites. In manipulative experiments, larvae treated with L. lactis had five-fold lower mortality rates than untreated larvae.

CONCLUSION

These results indicate that the microbiome of larvae is formed from a few bacterial taxa depending on the sampling site. A member of the gut microbiome, L. lactis, is believed to help overcome the toxic effects of chlorpyrifos in the larval gut. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.

Fungicides modify pest insect fitness depending on their genotype and population

Fungicides are the most sold pesticide group, with an 8% increase in sales in Europe within the last decade. While adverse short-term fungicide effects on non-target insect species have been reported, the long-term effects and their impact on fitness are unclear. As the effects may depend on both the fungicide and the genetic background of the species, we investigated the effects of the commonly used fungicide, fluazinam, on the Colorado potato beetle's life history traits, and whether the effects were dependent on a previously characterized insecticide resistance mutation (S291G in acetylcholinesterase-2 gene) in different populations. Our findings show that fungicide exposure can have both negative and positive, long-lasting effects on beetles, depending on the parental insecticide resistance status and population. In the Belchow population, individuals carrying resistance mutation had higher survival, but they produced offspring with lower egg-hatching rates. While, in the Vermont population, fungicide exposure increased the body mass and offspring quality in the beetles carrying resistance mutation but did not affect the beetles' survival. Our results suggest that commonly used fungicides can have both negative and positive effects on pest insects' life-history, however, their impact may differ depending on the population and parental genetic background.

Repeated exposure of fluazinam fungicides affects gene expression profiles yet carries no costs on a nontarget pest

Fungicides are used to control pathogenic fungi of crop species, but they have also been shown to alter behavioral, life history and fitness related traits of nontarget insects. Here, we tested the fungicide effects on feeding behavior, survival and physiology of the nontarget pest insect, the Colorado potato beetle (CPB) (Leptinotarsa decemlineata). Feeding behavior was studied by a choice test of adult beetles, which were allowed to choose between a control and a fungicide (fluazinam) treated potato leaf. Larval survival was recorded after 24 and 72 h exposure to control and fungicide-treated leaves with 2 different concentrations. The adults did not show fungicide avoidance behavior. Similarly, survival of the larvae was not affected by the exposure to fungicides. Finally, to understand the effects of fungicides at the physiological level (gene expression), we tested whether the larval exposure to fungicide alter the expression of 5 metabolic pathway and stress associated genes. Highest concentration and 72-h exposure caused upregulation of 1 cytochrome P450 (CYP9Z14v2) and 1 insecticide resistance gene (Ldace1), whereas metabolic detoxification gene (Ugt1) was downregulated. At 24-h exposure, highest concentration caused downregulation of another common detoxification gene (Gs), while both exposure times to lowest concentration caused upregulation of the Hsp70 stress tolerance gene. Despite these overall effects, there was a considerable amount of variation among different families in the gene expression levels. Even though the behavioral effects of the fungicide treatments were minor, the expression level differences of the studied genes indicate changes on the metabolic detoxifications and stress-related pathways.

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

Simple Summary

The Colorado potato beetle (CPB) is one of the most important potato pest worldwide. It is native to U.S. but during the 20th century it has dispersed through Europe, Asia and western China. It continues to expand in an east and southeast direction. Damages are caused by larvae and adults. Their feeding on potato plant leaves can cause complete defoliation and lead to a large yield loss. After the long period of using only chemical control measures, the emergence of resistance increased and some new and different methods come to the fore. The main focus of this review is on new approaches to the old CPB control problem. We describe the use of Bacillus thuringiensis and RNA interference (RNAi) as possible solutions for the future in CPB management. RNAi has proven successful in controlling many pests and shows great potential for CPB control. Better understanding of the mechanisms that affect efficiency will enable the development of this technology and boost potential of RNAi to become part of integrated plant protection in the future. We described also the possibility of using single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) as a way to go deeper into our understanding of resistance and how it influences genotypes.

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.

Prolonged diapause has sex-specific fertility and fitness costs

Diapause in seasonal environments allows insects to survive adverse seasons. However, individuals can sometimes enter a prolonged diapause for more than a year, and also skip favourable seasons, which can bring additional costs through e.g. loss of metabolic resources. At the same time, prolonged diapause can be beneficial if it allows individuals to have a risk-spreading strategy to skip potentially suboptimal breeding seasons. We studied if prolonged diapause (2-year diapause) negatively affects the fertility and fitness of female and male Colorado potato beetles (Leptinotarsa decemlineata) compared to control (1-year diapause) beetles. We also tested the parental effects on the subsequent chemical stress tolerance of their offspring. We found that prolonged diapause carried fertility costs only for females who were less fertile than the control females. However, no differences in fertility were observed in males. Furthermore, prolonged diapause in females resulted in offspring with lower larvae-to-adult survival even though these offspring had accelerated development times. In contrast, paternal diapause duration had no effects on their offspring larvae-to adult survival, but prolonged diapause males sired offspring with slower development times than control males. Perhaps to compensate the costs related to prolonged diapause both older parents produced or sired offspring with higher body mass than control parents. Despite the differences in emergence mass, parental diapause duration did not affect offspring insecticide stress tolerance. The difference between females and males most likely results from the observed differences in prolonged diapause females’ capacity to fight against cellular oxidative damage which was poorer compared to the control females. Even though prolonged diapause allows individuals to have a risk-spreading strategy it carries sex-specific fertility and fitness costs indicating that selection could favour this in males but not in females.

Can Indirect Herbicide Exposure Modify the Response of the Colorado Potato Beetle to an Organophosphate Insecticide?

Organisms live in complex multivariate environments. In agroecosystems, this complexity is often human-induced as pest individuals can be exposed to many xenobiotics simultaneously. Predicting the effects of multiple stressors can be problematic, as two or more stressors can have interactive effects. Our objective was to investigate whether indirect glyphosate-based herbicide (GBH) exposure of the host plant has interactive effects in combination with an insecticide (azinphos-methyl) on an invasive pest Colorado potato beetle (Leptinotarsa decemlineata Say). We tested the effects of GBH and insecticide on the survival, insecticide target genes expression (acetylcholinesterase genes) and oxidative status biomarkers (glutathione S-transferase [GST], glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase [G6PDH], glutathione reductase homolog [GR], glutathione peroxidase homolog [GPx], total glutathione [totGSH], glutathione reduced-oxidized [GSH: GSSG], catalase [CAT], superoxide dismutase [SOD], lipid hydroperoxides). We found that exposure to indirect GBH has no single or interactive effects in combination with the insecticide on larval survival. However, prior exposure to GBH inhibits Ldace1 gene expression by 0.55-fold, which is the target site for the organophosphate and carbamate insecticides. This difference disappears when individuals are exposed to both GBH and insecticide, suggesting an antagonistic effect. On the other hand, oxidative status biomarker scores (PCAs of GPx, GR, and CAT) were decreased when exposed to both stressors, indicating a synergistic effect. Overall, we found that indirect GBH exposure can have both antagonistic and synergistic effects in combination with an insecticide, which should be considered when aiming for an ecologically relevant risk assessment of multiple human-induced stressors.

Identification of Novel Voltage-Gated Sodium Channel Mutations in Human Head and Body Lice (Phthiraptera: Pediculidae)

In recent years, the increase of head louse infestation in Iran (7.4%) and especially in West-Azerbaijan Province (248%) has raised the hypothesis of insecticide resistance development. There are different mechanisms of resistance to various groups of insecticides, and knockdown resistance (kdr) is a prominent mechanism of resistance to pyrethroids, an insecticide group which is used conventionally for pediculosis control. For detection of kdr-type well-known amino acid substitutions (M815I-T917I-L920F) and additional sodium channel mutations potentially associated with kdr resistance in head and body lice, louse populations were collected from West-Azerbaijan and Zanjan Provinces of Iran. Six novel mutations were found to be located in the IIS1-2 extracellular loop (H813P) and IIS5 (I927F, L928A, R929V, L930M, and L932M) of the α-subunit. Genotyping results showed that all specimens (100%) have at least one of these or the well-known mutations. Therefore, the presence of kdr-related and novel mutations in the sodium channel is likely to be the reason for the frequent use of pyrethroid insecticides due to treatment failure against lice. Further studies are now required to evaluate the prevalence of the kdr-like mutant allele for monitoring of insecticide resistance and the management of head and body lice in other provinces of the country.

Multiple Mutations on the Second Acetylcholinesterase Gene Associated With Dimethoate Resistance in the Melon Aphid, Aphis gossypii (Hemiptera: Aphididae)

The melon aphid, Aphis gossypii Glover (Hemiptera: Aphididae), is an important cosmopolitan and extremely polyphagous species capable of causing direct and indirect damage to various crops. Insecticide resistance in melon aphids is of particular concern. To determine the basis of resistance, organophosphate (OP)-resistant strains of A. gossypii were obtained by continuous selection with dimethoate in the laboratory, and resistance mechanisms were investigated along with susceptible strains. Three resistant strains LKR-1, LKR-2, and LKR-3 exhibiting 270-, 243-, and 210-fold resistance obtained after 30 generations of selection with dimethoate, respectively, were utilized in this study. The role of acetylcholinesterase (AChE), a target enzyme for OPs and carbamates (CMs), was investigated. AChE enzyme assay revealed that there was no significant change in the activities of AChE in resistant and susceptible strains. However, AChE inhibitory assay showed that 50% of the enzyme activity in resistant strains was inhibited at significantly higher concentration of dimethoate (131.87, 158.65, and 99.29 µmolL(−1)) as compared with susceptible strains (1.75 and 2.01 µmolL(−1)), indicating AChE insensitivity owing to altered AChE. Molecular diagnostic tool polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism revealed the existence of two consistent non-synonymous point mutations, single-nucleotide polymorphism, viz., A302S (equivalent to A201 in Torpedo californica Ayres) and S431F (equivalent to F331 in T. californica), in the AChE gene Ace2 of resistant strains. Further, cloning and sequencing of a partial fragment of Ace2 (897 bp) gene from susceptible and resistant strains revealed an additional novel mutation G221A in resistant strains, LKR-1 and LKR-2. Susceptible Ace2 genes shared 99.6 and 98.9% identity at the nucleic acid and amino acid levels with resistant ones, respectively. Functional analysis of these point mutations was assessed by in silico docking studies using the modeled wild-type and naturally mutated AChE2. Computational analysis showed that the conformational changes in AChE2 active site due to structural gene substitutions (A302S, S431F, and G221A) significantly reduced the level of ligand (OP-dimethoate, omethoate, and CM-pirimicarb) binding, suggesting that they are potentially associated with resistance development. These results unambiguously suggested that multiple mutations located in the enzyme active site are responsible for AChE insensitivity to dimethoate and are likely the molecular basis for dimethoate resistance in these selected field populations of A. gossypii.

Target site insensitivity mutations in the AChE enzyme confer resistance to organophosphorous insecticides in Leptinotarsa decemlineata (Say)

In the present study, we demonstrated the use and optimization of the tetra-primer ARMS-PCR procedure to detect and analyze the frequency of the R30K and I392T mutations in resistant field populations of CPB. The R30K mutation was detected in 72%, 84%, 52% and 64% of Bahar, Dehpiaz, Aliabad and Yengijeh populations, respectively. Overall frequencies of the I392T mutation were 12%, 8% and 16% of Bahar, Aliabad and Yengijeh populations, respectively. No I392T point mutation was found among samples from Dehpiaz field population. Moreover, only 31% and 2% of samples from the resistant field populations were homozygous for R30K and I392T mutations, respectively. No individual simultaneously had both I392T and S291G/R30K point mutations. The incidence of individuals with both S291G and R30K point mutations in the samples from Bahar, Dehpiaz, Aliabad, and Yengijeh populations were 31.5%, 44.7%, 41.6%, and 27.3% respectively. Genotypes determined by the tetra-primer ARMS-PCR method were consistent with those determined by PCR sequencing. There was no significant correlation between the mutation frequencies and resistance levels in the resistant populations, indicating that other mutations may contribute to this variation. Polymorphism in the partial L. decemlineata cDNA AChE gene Ldace2 of four field populations was identified by direct sequencing of PCR-amplified fragments. Among 45 novel mutations detected in this study, T29P mutation was found across all four field populations that likely contribute to the AChE insensitivity. Site-directed mutagenesis and protein expression experiments are needed for a more complete evaluation.

Phenotypic- and Genotypic-Resistance Detection for Adaptive Resistance Management in Tetranychus urticae Koch

Rapid resistance detection is necessary for the adaptive management of acaricide-resistant populations of Tetranychus urticae. Detection of phenotypic and genotypic resistance was conducted by employing residual contact vial bioassay (RCV) and quantitative sequencing (QS) methods, respectively. RCV was useful for detecting the acaricide resistance levels of T. urticae, particularly for on-site resistance detection; however, it was only applicable for rapid-acting acaricides (12 out of 19 tested acaricides). QS was effective for determining the frequencies of resistance alleles on a population basis, which corresponded to 12 nonsynonymous point mutations associated with target-site resistance to five types of acaricides [organophosphates (monocrotophos, pirimiphos-methyl, dimethoate and chlorpyrifos), pyrethroids (fenpropathrin and bifenthrin), abamectin, bifenazate and etoxazole]. Most field-collected mites exhibited high levels of multiple resistance, as determined by RCV and QS data, suggesting the seriousness of their current acaricide resistance status in rose cultivation areas in Korea. The correlation analyses revealed moderate to high levels of positive relationships between the resistance allele frequencies and the actual resistance levels in only five of the acaricides evaluated, which limits the general application of allele frequency as a direct indicator for estimating actual resistance levels. Nevertheless, the resistance allele frequency data alone allowed for the evaluation of the genetic resistance potential and background of test mite populations. The combined use of RCV and QS provides basic information on resistance levels, which is essential for choosing appropriate acaricides for the management of resistant T. urticae.

Toxicodynamic mechanisms and monitoring of acaricide resistance in the two-spotted spider mite

The two-spotted spider (Tetranychus urticae) is one of the most serious pests world-wide and has developed resistance to many types of acaricides. Various mutations on acaricide target site genes have been determined to be responsible for toxicodynamic resistance, and the genotyping and frequency prediction of these mutations can be employed as an alternative resistance monitoring strategy. A quantitative sequencing (QS) protocol was reported as a population-based genotyping technique, and applied for the determination of resistance allele frequencies in T. urticae field populations. In addition, a modified glass vial bioassay method (residual contact vial bioassay, RCV) was implemented as a rapid on-site resistance monitoring tool. The QS protocol, together with the RCV, would greatly facilitate monitoring of T. urticae resistance. Recent completion of T. urticae genome analysis should facilitate the identification of additional resistance genetic markers that can be employed for molecular resistance monitoring.

RNA interference in Colorado potato beetle: steps toward development of dsRNA as a commercial insecticide

Colorado potato beetle (CPB) is a notorious pest on potatoes and has a remarkable ability to detoxify plant chemicals and develop resistance against insecticides. dsRNA targeting CPB genes could be expressed in potato plants to control this pest. However, previous attempts at introducing transgenic potato plants to control CPB were not highly successful. Recent studies showed that feeding dsRNA expressed in bacteria works very well to kill CPB. To realize the potential of RNAi to control this and other economically important pests, more efficient methods for production and delivery of dsRNA need to be developed. Extensive research to determine off-target and non-target effects, environmental fate and potential for resistance development is also essential.

Flubendiamide resistance and Bi-PASA detection of ryanodine receptor G4946E mutation in the diamondback moth (Plutella xylostella L.)

The extensive application of flubendiamide has led to increasingly prominent development of resistance in diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella. Here we report that the moderate and high level resistance to flubendiamide was identified in a laboratory-selected and two field-collected strains of P. xylostella. The resistance ratios were tested in the lab-selected resistant strains (R), and two field strains (BY and ZC). Compared with the S strain, the R strain showed extended larval development time, decreased pupation rate, emergencing rate, and male adult longevity. The realized heritability (h(2)=0.135) implies the high risk of flubendiamide resistance development in P. xylostella. A Bi-PASA (bi-directional PCR amplification of specific allele)-based method was successfully developed to detect the point mutation (G4946E) potentially causing flubendiamide resistance in diamondback moth, in which different fragments 866 bp + 340 bp, 866 bp+568 bp, and 866 bp+568 bp+340 bp were presented in SS, RR and RS stains, respectively. The predominant genotype was 83.33% SS homozygote in the S strain, 80.77% RR homozygote in ZC population, and 73.08% RS heterozygote in BY population, respectively. Current results showed the significant correlation between the frequencies of the allele carrying G4946E mutation (51.92%, 55.77% and 90.38% for R, BY and ZC, respectively) and the resistance ratios (40.72, 24.24 and 1779.24-folds for R, BY and ZC, respectively) in the three strains/populations. In addition, the relative PxRyR mRNA transcript level in the R strain was 2.938 ± 0.53 folds as compared with the S strain (1.0-fold).

Pre-invasion history and demography shape the genetic variation in the insecticide resistance-related acetylcholinesterase 2 gene in the invasive Colorado potato beetle

Background

Invasive pest species offers a unique opportunity to study the effects of genetic architecture, demography and selection on patterns of genetic variability. Invasive Colorado potato beetle (Leptinotarsa decemlineata) populations have experienced a rapid range expansion and intense selection by insecticides. By comparing native and invasive beetle populations, we studied the origins of organophosphate (OP) resistance-associated mutations in the acetylcholinesterase 2 (AChE2) gene, and the role of selection and demography on its genetic variability.

Results

Analysis of three Mexican, two US and five European populations yielded a total of 49 haplotypes. Contrary to the expectations all genetic variability was associated with a point mutation linked to insecticide resistance (S291G), this mutation was found in 100% of Mexican, 95% of US and 71% of European beetle sequences analysed. Only two susceptible haplotypes, genetically very differentiated, were found, one in US and one in Europe. The genetic variability at the AChE2 gene was compared with two other genes not directly affected by insecticide selection, diapause protein 1 and juvenile hormone esterase. All three genes showed reduction in genetic variability indicative of a population bottleneck associated with the invasion.

Conclusions

Stochastic effects during invasion explain most of the observed patterns of genetic variability at the three genes investigated. The high frequency of the S291G mutation in the AChE2 gene among native populations suggests this mutation is the ancestral state and thus, either a pre-adaptation of the beetle for OP resistance or the AChE2 is not the major gene conferring OP resistance. The long historical association with host plant alkaloids together with recombination may have contributed to the high genetic variation at this locus. The genetic diversity in the AChE2 locus of the European beetles, in turn, strongly reflects founder effects followed by rapid invasion. Our results suggest that despite the long history of insecticide use in this species, demographic events together with pre-invasion history have been strongly influential in shaping the genetic diversity of the AChE2 gene in the invasive beetle populations.

Chemical Ecology of the Colorado Potato Beetle, Leptinotarsa decemlineata (Say) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), and Potential for Alternative Control Methods

The Colorado potato beetle (CPB) has been a major insect pest to potato farming for over 150 years and various control methods have been established to reduce its impact on potato fields. Crop rotation and pesticide use are currently the most widely used approaches, although alternative methods are being developed. Here we review the role of various volatile and nonvolatile chemicals involved in behavior changes of CPB that may have potential for their control. First, we describe all volatile and nonvolatile chemicals involved in host plant localization and acceptance by CPB beetles, including glycoalcaloids and host plant volatiles used as kairomones. In the second section, we present the chemical signals used by CPB in intraspecific communication, including sex and aggregation pheromones. Some of these chemicals are used by natural enemies of CPBs to locate their prey and are presented in the third section. The last section of this review is devoted a discussion of the potential of some natural chemicals in biological control of CPB and to approaches that already reached efficient field applications.

Putative polymerase chain reaction markers for insecticide resistance in the leafminer Liriomyza trifolii (Diptera: Agromyzidae) to cyromazine and abamectin

In this study, random amplified polymorphic DNA polymerase chain reaction (RAPD-PCR) was used to identify polymorphic genomic DNA that would discriminate among cyromazine-resistant, abamectin-resistant, and susceptible Liriomyza trifolii (Burgess) (Diptera: Agromyzidae) leafminers. Using a reference strain that was susceptible to both cyromazine and abamectin, and a cyromazine-resistant strain and an abamectin-resistant strain, 400 oligonucleotides were assayed using RAPD-PCR. We found that two oligonucleotides, B10 and G16, amplified unique bands in the cyromazine-resistant strain but not in the reference or abamectin-resistant strains. Three oligonucleotides, K04, J13, and I02, showed polymorphisms unique to the abamectin-resistant strain but not in the reference or cyromazine-resistant strain. Leaf dip bioassays and RAPD-PCR were performed on two additional reference strains, seven strains from commercial ornamental production greenhouses, and one field strain. The two reference strains were negative for the resistance-correlated oligonucleotides. Of the seven strains from ornamental greenhouses, leaf dip bioassays showed that five had some level of resistance to both abamectin and cyromazine, whereas two were susceptible. The field strain was susceptible to both cyromazine and abamectin. In RAPD-DNA analyses, the five strains with abamectin resistance were positive for the three abamectin resistance-correlated oligonucleotides K04, J13, and I02. In the cases of cyromazine resistance, the five strains with cyromazine resistance were positive for the two cyromazine resistance-correlated oligonucleotides B10 and G16. The field strain and two greenhouse strains that were susceptible in leaf dip bioassays were negative for all three abamectin resistance-correlated oligonucleotides. The field strain and one greenhouse strain were negative for the two cyromazine resistance-correlated oligonucleotides; however, one greenhouse strain that was susceptible to cyromazine in leaf dip bioassay tested positive for one of the cyromazine resistance-correlated oligonucleotides. This method can be used to quickly identify cyromazine resistance, abamectin resistance, or both in leafminers, enabling a grower to choose an effective insecticide for leafminer control in a timely manner.

Detection of organophosphate and pyrethroid resistance alleles in Czech Leptinotarsa decemlineata (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) populations by molecular methods

BACKGROUND

Pyrethroids and organophosphates are the most frequently used insecticides for Colorado potato beetle, Leptinotarsa decemlineata (Say), control in the Czech Republic. Based on molecular methods, organophosphate and pyrethroid resistance alleles have been detected in samples from three sites. The accuracy of restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) and bidirectional polymerase chain reaction amplification of specific alleles (Bi-PASA) for detection of resistance alleles is compared.

RESULTS

Leptinotarsa decemlineata from three sites showed higher frequencies of resistance alleles to organophosphates than to pyrethroids. The rates of occurrence of individuals homozygous resistant (RR) to pyrethroids ranged from 20.0 to 22.9%, while the rates of occurrence of individuals RR to organophosphates ranged from 52.9 to 66.7%. The incidences of individuals with resistance alleles to both organophosphates and pyrethroids ranged from 8.6 to 13.6%. No relationship was found between incidence of the pyrethroid resistance allele and site, while incidence of the organophosphate resistance allele differed significantly according to site.

CONCLUSION

Both RFLP and Bi-PASA were suitable for detecting resistance alleles to pyrethroids, and in most cases also for detecting resistance alleles to organophosphates. In contrast to Bi-PASA, RFLP was also suitable for samples with lower DNA quality when testing for the resistance allele to pyrethroids. On the other hand, RFLP was not as accurate as Bi-PASA in detection of the organophosphate resistance allele.

Determination, mechanism and monitoring of knockdown resistance in permethrin-resistant human head lice, Pediculus humanus capitis

Permethrin resistance has been reported worldwide and clinical failures to commercial pediculicides containing permethrin have likewise occurred. Permethrin resistance in head lice populations from the U.S. is widespread but is not yet uniform and the level of resistance is relatively low (~4-8 fold). Permethrin-resistant lice are cross-resistant to pyrethrins, PBO-synergized pyrethrins and to DDT. Nix((R)), when applied to human hair tufts following manufacture's instructions, did not provide 100% control when assessed by the hair tuft bioassay in conjunction with the in vitro rearing system. Resistance to permethrin is due to knockdown resistance (kdr), which is the result of three point mutations within the alpha-subunit gene of the voltage-gated sodium channel that causes amino acid substitutions, leading to nerve insensitivity.A three-tiered resistance monitoring system has been established based on molecular resistance detection techniques. Quantitative sequencing (QS) has been developed to predict the kdr allele frequency in head lice at a population level. The speed, simplicity and accuracy of QS made it an ideal candidate for a routine primary resistance monitoring tool to screen a large number of louse populations as an alternative to conventional bioassay. As a secondary monitoring method, real-time PASA (rtPASA) has been devised for a more precise determination of low resistance allele frequencies. To obtain more detailed information on resistance allele zygosity, as well as allele frequency, serial invasive signal amplification reaction (SISAR) has been developed as an individual genotyping method. Our approach of using three tiers of molecular resistance detection should facilitate large-scale routine resistance monitoring of permethrin resistance in head lice using field-collected samples.

Environmental stresses induce the expression of putative glycine-rich insect cuticular protein genes in adult Leptinotarsa decemlineata (Say)

The deposition of cuticular proteins in insects usually occurs during the moulting process. Three putative glycine-rich insect cuticular proteins, Ld-GRP1 to 3, were identified and characterized from the Colorado potato beetle, Leptinotarsa decemlineata. The Ld-GRPs contained conserved GXGX and/or GGXG sequence repeats. Ld-GRP1 also contained a conserved AAPA/V motif commonly found in cuticular proteins. The transcripts of Ld-GRP1 and Ld-GRP2 were detected in the epidermal cell layer by in situ hybridization, making them putative insect cuticular proteins. The putative cuticular protein genes were highly induced by the insecticide azinphosmethyl (organophosphorous) 2-3 weeks after adult moulting. Putative cuticular protein gene expression level was higher in azinphosmethyl-resistant beetles than in susceptible beetles. Furthermore, two of the putative cuticular protein genes were highly induced by dry environmental conditions. These results suggest that the insect might increase cuticular component deposition in the adult stage in response to environmental stresses. This ability may allow the insect to adapt to new or changing environments.

Involvement of a sodium channel mutation in pyrethroid resistance in Cydia pomonella L, and development of a diagnostic test

Populations of the codling moth, Cydia pomonella L (Lepidoptera, Tortricidae) have developed resistance to several classes of insecticide such as benzoylureas, juvenile hormone analogues, ecdysone agonists and pyrethroids, but the corresponding resistance mechanisms have not been extensively studied. Knockdown resistance (kdr) to pyrethroid insecticides has been associated with point mutations in the para sodium channel gene in a great variety of insect pest species. We have studied two susceptible strains (S and Sv) and two resistant strains (Rt and Rv) of C pomonella that exhibited 4- and 80-fold resistance ratios to deltamethrin, respectively. The region of the voltage-dependent sodium channel gene which includes the position where kdr and super-kdr mutations have been found in Musca domestica L was amplified. The kdr mutation, a leucine-to-phenylalanine replacement at position 1014, was found only in the Rv strain. In contrast, the super-kdr mutation, a methionine-to-threonine replacement at position 918, was not detected in any C pomonella strain. These data allowed us to develop a PCR-based diagnostic test (PASA) to monitor the frequency of the kdr mutation in natural populations of C pomonella in order to define appropriate insecticide treatments in orchards.

Identification of the Rdl mutation in laboratory and field strains of the cat flea, Ctenocephalides felis (Siphonaptera: Pulicidae)

In many insect species, resistance to cyclodiene insecticides is caused by amino acid substitutions at a single residue (A302) within the M2 transmembrane region of the gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptor sub-unit termed Rdl (resistance to dieldrin). These mutations (A302S and A302G) have also been shown to confer varying levels of cross-resistance to fipronil, a phenylpyrazole insecticide with a similar mode of action to cyclodienes. To investigate the possible occurrence of these mutations in the cat flea, Ctenocephalides felis (Bouché), a 176-bp fragment of the cat flea Rdl gene, encompassing the mutation site, was PCR amplified and sequenced from nine laboratory flea strains. The A302S mutation was found in eight of the nine strains analysed, although the relative frequency of the mutant allele varied between strains. Only one strain (R6) was found to be homozygous for the S302 allele in all the individuals tested, and this correlated with previous reports of low-level fipronil resistance in this strain. A PCR-based diagnostic assay, capable of screening individual fleas for this mutation, was developed and used to survey a range of fleas collected at random from veterinary clinics in the UK and USA. The A302S mutation was present at a high frequency in these domestic pet populations.

Identification of mutations associated with pyrethroid resistance in the para-type sodium channel of the cat flea, Ctenocephalides felis

Knockdown resistance (kdr) to pyrethroid insecticides is caused by point mutations in the pyrethroid target site, the para-type sodium channel of nerve membranes. This most commonly involves alterations within the domain II (S4-S6) region of the channel protein where five different mutation sites have been identified across a range of insect species. To investigate the incidence of this mechanism in cat fleas, we have cloned and sequenced the IIS4-IIS6 region of the para sodium channel gene from seven laboratory flea strains. Analysis of these sequences revealed two amino acid replacements at residues previously implicated in pyrethroid resistance. One is the 'common' kdr mutation, a leucine to phenylalanine substitution (equivalent to L1014F of housefly) reported previously in several other insects. The other is a threonine to valine substitution (equivalent to T929V) and is a novel variant of the T929I mutation first identified in diamondback moth. The L1014F mutation was found at varying frequency in all of the laboratory flea strains, whereas the T929V mutation was found only in the highly resistant Cottontail strain. We have developed rapid PCR-based diagnostic assays for the detection of these mutations in individual cat fleas and used them to show that both L1014F and T929V are common in UK and US flea populations. This survey revealed a significant number of fleas that carry only the V929 allele indicating that co-expression with the F1014 allele is not necessary for flea viability.

Identification of mutations conferring insecticide-insensitive AChE in the cotton-melon aphid, Aphis gossypii Glover

We have identified two mutations in the ace1 gene of Aphis gossypii that are associated with insensitivity of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) to carbamate and organophosphate insecticides. The first of these, S431F (equivalent to F331 in Torpedo californica), is associated with insensitivity to the carbamate insecticide pirimicarb in a range of A. gossypii clones. The S431F mutation is also found in the peach-potato aphid, Myzus persicae (Sulzer), and a rapid RFLP diagnostic allows the identification of individuals of both aphid species with a resistant genotype. This diagnostic further revealed the presence of S431 in several other pirimicarb-susceptible aphid species. The serine at this position in the wild-type enzyme has only been reported for aphids and provides a molecular explanation of why pirimicarb has a specific aphicidal action. A less specific insensitivity to a wide range of carbamates and organophosphates is associated with a second mutation, A302S (A201 in T. californica).