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ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Parlier, California » San Joaquin Valley Agricultural Sciences Center » Commodity Protection and Quality Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #398062
Research Project: Improved Systems-based Approaches that Maintain Commodity Quality and Control of Arthropod Pests Important to U.S. Agricultural Production, Trade and Quarantine

Location: Commodity Protection and Quality Research

Title: Baseline susceptibility and evidence of resistance to acetamiprid in Gill’s mealybug, Ferrisia gilli Gullan (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae)

Author
item Bansal, Raman
item Hunter, Wayne
item HAVILAND, DAVID - University Of California - Cooperative Extension Service

Submitted to: Journal of Economic Entomology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 12/15/2022
Publication Date: 1/27/2023
Citation: Bansal, R., Hunter, W.B., Haviland, D.R. 2023. Baseline susceptibility and evidence of resistance to acetamiprid in Gill’s mealybug, Ferrisia gilli Gullan (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae). Journal of Economic Entomology. 116(2):554-559. https://doi.org/10.1093/jee/toad012.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/jee/toad012

Interpretive Summary: The gill’s mealybug (GMB) is one of the most important pests of pistachio in California. Failure to control GMB after field applications of recommended insecticides was reported. We didn’t know if control failure was caused by insecticide resistance in GMB. In this study the baseline of susceptibility to acetamiprid, an insecticide recommended for field application, was established in 5 field populations of GMB from the Central Valley in California (CA). Evidence of resistance to acetamiprid was detected in the GMB population sampled around Hanford, CA. These results indicate that insecticide resistance in GMB is developing. Thus, a strategy to manage insecticide resistance is required. These findings highlight the need for continued research to develop tools for accurate screening and monitoring of insecticide resistance in GMB.

Technical Abstract: Gill’s mealybug, Ferrisia gilli (Gullan) (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae), is a major pest of pistachio in California. Insecticide treatment is the primary control method and acetamiprid is widely used to control this pest. However, there have been numerous reports of control failures for F. gilli after field applications of recommended insecticides in recent years. The purpose of this study was to develop a method for routine monitoring of F. gilli susceptibility and quantify current levels of F. gilli susceptibility to acetamiprid. A leaf-dip bioassay method using lima bean leaves was established and baseline susceptibility responses of 5 field populations were determined. Lethal concentrations to kill 50% of population (LC50) for second instar nymphs at 48 h ranged from 0.367 to 2.398 µg(AI)ml-1 of acetamiprid. Similarly, lethal concentrations to kill 90% of population (LC90) for second instar nymphs at 48 h ranged from 2.887 to 10.752 µg(AI)ml-1 of acetamiprid. The F. gilli population collected from Hanford area showed up to 6.5-fold significantly decreased mortality to acetamiprid compared to other populations. The resistance identified in this study, although relatively low, indicates that there has been repeated pressure to select for acetamiprid resistance and resistance levels can further magnify if effective management steps are not taken. The baseline susceptibility established in this study can be used to investigate potential cause of recent acetamiprid failures against F. gilli. In the long-term, results of this study will support the development of resistance management strategies by monitoring shifts in the susceptibility of F. gilli populations.