R460 Combating Resistance to Aphicides in UK Aphid Pests

Aim: To monitor the response of field-collected live samples of Myzus persicae to a range of novel aphicides and also monitor for established forms of resistance.

Industry Challenge

The need for this work is heightened by the recent occurrence of control failures with neonicotinoids against Myzus persicae in southern Europe, and highlights a substantial new threat to aphid control in this country. The presence of resistant aphids in the UK would have very serious repercussions for neonicotinoid treatments on potatoes, sugar beet (particularly as there are no current viable alternatives to neonicotinoids on this crop), oilseed rape, other brassicas, salads and ornamentals. It would, in turn, accentuate the risk of the evolution of resistance to non-neonicotinoid compounds such as pymetrozine and flonicamid.

The seed potato industry in Scotland is also heavily dependent on controlling M. persicae, an important virus vector. Annual losses to the UK potato industry from aphids and the viruses they transmit are around £12M, half of which is in the seed crop.

Collaboration

AHDB - HDC, AHDB - HGCA, Bayer, BBRO, Belchim, Dupont, Nufarm, Rothamsted Research, Sumitomo, Syngenta

Approach

The project will monitor the response of field-collected live samples of M. persicae to a range of novel aphicides and also monitor for established forms of resistance. Other important aphid pests (including cereal aphids) will also be monitored, and baseline data established.

The response of M. persicae carrying different combinations of metabolic and target-site neonicotinoid resistance (and different genotypes of the latter) to seed- and foliar-treated plants will be characterised in laboratory-based field simulator chambers.

New screening tools for novel aphicides will be developed for use in regional laboratories or by advisors and growers.

Key Words and Reports

Final reports for related projects investigating insecticide resistance in aphids are also provided below.