Trends towards Lower Susceptibility of Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) to Teflubenzuron in Brazil: An Evidence for Field-Evolved Resistance

Author(s)

Amaral, Fernando Semmelroth de Assuncao e ; Kanno, Rubens Hideo ; Nascimento, Antonio Rogerio Bezerra do ; Guidolin, Aline Sartori ; Omoto, Celso

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: INSECTS; v. 14, n. 2, p. 11-pg., 2023-02-01.

Abstract

Simple Summary The fall armyworm (FAW), Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E Smith), is an important insect pest that can cause severe damage to a wide range of economically important crops. Many insecticides are used to manage the FAW in Brazil, including teflubenzuron. Here, we monitored the susceptibility of the FAW to teflubenzuron in more than 200 field-collected populations from major corn-growing regions of Brazil, from 2004 to 2020. Overall, our findings showed that the FAWs susceptibility to this insecticide reduced over the years, providing evidence of field-evolved resistance. We discuss the possible causes for this loss in the susceptibility to teflubenzuron in S. frugiperda and focus on the importance of implementing resistance management strategies. Susceptibility monitoring to insecticides is a key component to implementing insecticide resistance management (IRM) programs. In this research, the susceptibility to teflubenzuron in Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E Smith) was monitored in more than 200 field-collected populations from major corn-growing regions of Brazil, from 2004 to 2020. Initially, we defined a diagnostic concentration of 10 mu g mL(-1) of teflubenzuron using a diet-overlay bioassay for monitoring the susceptibility. A variation in the susceptibility to teflubenzuron in S. frugiperda was detected among populations from different locations. We also detected a significant reduction in the susceptibility to teflubenzuron throughout time in all the populations of S. frugiperda evaluated, with larval survival at diagnostic concentration varying from values of <5% in 2004 to up 80% in 2020. Thus, this research provides evidence of field-evolved resistance of S. frugiperda to teflubenzuron and reinforces that IRM practices are urgently needed to be implemented in Brazil. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 14/26212-7 - Exploration of next generation sequencing techniques (NGS) for the identification of molecular markers for monitoring the resistance of Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) to insecticides and Bt proteins
• Grantee: Antonio Rogério Bezerra do Nascimento
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• FAPESP's process: 16/09159-0 - Mapping and quantitative trait locus (QTLs) associated with resistance to insecticides and Bt toxin in Spodoptera frugiperda (J. e. Smith)
• Grantee: Antonio Rogério Bezerra do Nascimento
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Doctorate
• FAPESP's process: 19/06217-8 - Impact of agricultural landscape on resistance management of Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) to spinosyn insecticides
• Grantee: Rubens Hideo Kanno
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• FAPESP's process: 19/17215-6 - Identification of molecular markers to detect insecticide resistance in Spodoptera frugiperda and Euschistus heros and the role of the insect microbiome in resistance
• Grantee: Antonio Rogério Bezerra do Nascimento
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral