Aphid Transmission of the Ontario Isolate of Plum Pox Virus.

Utilization of timed virus acquisition access probes in studies of plum pox virus (PPV) transmission by aphids demonstrated that endemic species transmitted the virus readily from plum, Prunus domestica (L.) Batsch; peach, P. persica (L.); or dwarf flowering almond, P. glandulosa Thunberg., to peach seedlings. The green peach aphid, Myzus persicae (Sulzer), was shown to be the most efficient vector. Acquisition of virus by green peach aphids from infected peach leaves resulted in 18-28% infected peach seedlings, while aphids previously fed on infected leaves of plum transferred virus to 36% of peach seedlings. Although the spirea aphid, Aphis spiraecola (Patch), was a less efficient vector than M. persicae it is perhaps more important for the spread of PPV due to its greater abundance and occurrence earlier in the season when peach trees are thought to be more susceptible to infection. Virus transmission rates varied depending on the virus source and healthy test plant species. In contrast to many previous studies, aphid inoculation of the experimental host Nicotiana benthamiana Domin occurred at a low rate, never exceeding 4%. Acquisition of PPV by M. persicae from infected peach fruit was greatly reduced compared with acquisition from leaves. The results of this research indicate that the Ontario isolate of PPV-D is readily transmissible by aphids to peach and natural spread of the virus needs to be considered in future management or eradication programs.

Insecticide susceptibility of three species of cutworm (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) pests of grapes.

Climbing cutworms in the genus Abagrotis are economically important pests of grapes in the Okanagan Valley of British Columbia (BC). Grapes are recently introduced into many areas of the region, and the association between crop and pest is new and still evolving. This has led to limited information being available on pest management strategies, including the evaluation of chemical controls compatible with local production practices. Few insecticides are currently registered in Canada for cutworm control on grapes, and our study was initiated to provide information on the efficacy of potential control materials. We were also interested in the relative susceptibilities of the three most common cutworm species attacking grape buds in BC--Abagrotis orbis (Grote), Abagrotis reedi Buckett, and Abagrotis nefascia (Smith). Dose-response bioassays with nine insecticides were conducted on neonate larvae using Bok Choy leaf disks, and on fourth-instar larvae using diet incorporation. There were considerable differences in the toxicity of insecticides within species for neonates and fourth instars. For some materials, the relative toxicity to neonates and fourth instars were not correlated. Response to insecticides among the three species showed variation as well, and correct identification of the species complex present in individual locations is important in choosing the best available control material.

Relationship of insecticide tolerance to esterase enzyme activity in Aphis pomi and Aphis spiraecola (Hemiptera: Aphididae).

Green apple aphid, Aphis pomi De Geer, and Aphis spiraecola Patch (both Hemiptera: Aphididae), are sympatric aphid species that are pests of apples (Malus spp.) and other crops. A. spiraecola has been shown to be significantly more tolerant to several insecticides compared with A. pomi. To establish the mechanisms contributing to this difference in insecticide response, clones of both species were collected from British Columbia, Canada, and Washington state. Dose-response bioassays were conducted to determine relative tolerances to the insecticides pirimicarb, dimethoate, and imidacloprid; these results have been reported previously. Samples of adult aphids from each clone were assayed for the activity of esterase enzymes often involved in the detoxification of insecticides. A. spiraecola had higher esterase activity compared with A. pomi; this was apparent for two model substrates, alpha-naphthyl acetate (alpha-NA) and alpha-naphthyl butyrate (alpha-NB). Aphid clones of both species collected from Washington had higher esterase activity than clones collected from British Columbia. Clones from both species and locations hydrolyzed alpha-NA to a greater extent than alpha-NB. Esterase activity measured with both substrates was significantly positively correlated with the relative response to pirimicarb and dimethoate; a significant positive correlation also was found for hydrolysis of alpha-NB and imidacloprid. The apparent involvement of esterases in the differential response of A. pomi and A. spiraecola to insecticides indicated that the choice of control chemicals for A. spiraecola should not involve chemistries that are metabolized predominantly by esterases.

Influence of mixtures of kaolin particle film and synthetic insecticides on mortality of larval obliquebanded leafrollers (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) from resistant and susceptible populations.

Experiments were conducted to determine potential interactions between kaolin particle film and three insecticides on neonate larvae of the obliquebanded leafroller, Choristoneura rosaceana (Harris) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae). Kaolin did not significantly affect the toxicity of azinphosmethyl or indoxacarb to an insecticide-susceptible population when applied simultaneously with either insecticide in a 7-d leaf disk bioassay. Methoxyfenozide was slightly more toxic to the same leafroller population when coapplied with kaolin. When these bioassays were repeated on a multiresistant laboratory strain of C. rosaceana, mixtures of kaolin with either azinphosmethyl or indoxacarb were significantly more toxic than the insecticides alone, 3.1- and 7.7-fold more toxic for azinphosmethyl:kaolin and indoxacarb:kaolin, respectively. Mixtures of kaolin and methoxyfenozide did not differ in toxicity to the resistant leafroller population from the toxicity of methoxyfenozide alone. Kaolin alone had no effect on leafroller mortality over the 7-d duration of the bioassay. Although the toxicities of mixtures of kaolin with azinphosmethyl or indoxacarb are only moderately higher than those of the insecticides alone, they may be high enough to provide control of leafroller populations that have become difficult to manage due to the development of insecticide resistance.

Susceptibilities of apple aphid and spirea aphid collected from apple in the Pacific Northwest to selected insecticides.

Laboratory bioassays using leaf disks of apple dipped in test solutions of insecticides demonstrated that the apple aphid, Aphis pomi De Geer, and the spirea aphid, Aphis spiraecola Patch, differed significantly in susceptibility to a number of insecticides registered for control of aphids on apple (Malus spp.). Compared with A. pomi, A. spiraecola was approximately four- and three-fold less susceptible to pirimicarb and lambda-cyhalothrin, respectively, whereas there was little difference in response to dimethoate. Pymetrozine is thought to act on aphids primarily as a feeding inhibitor. Exposure of aphids to this material generated data that fit the probit model for only half the tested clones. However, the LC50 value for one clone of A. spiraecola was nearly 1,000 times higher than the value for one clone of A. pomi. Although the results from these trials did not indicate that either species had developed significant levels of resistance to the test materials, differences in LC50 levels of > 10-fold suggest insecticide tolerances and the possibility of control failures in the future. The demonstrated differences in susceptibility to insecticides between these two morphologically similar species also should be considered during the evaluation of new products for use on apple.

Baseline susceptibilities to imidacloprid for green apple aphid and spirea aphid (Homoptera: Aphididae) collected from apple in the Pacific northwest.

Susceptibilities to the neonicotinyl insecticide imidacloprid were determined for clones of apple aphid, Aphis pomi De Geer, and spirea aphid, Aphis spiraecola Patch, collected from conventional and organic apple orchards and from crab apple and wild apple in Washington state and British Columbia over a period of 6 yr. For aphids collected during 1996--1998, adults were dipped in test solutions by using the Food and Agriculture Organization protocol, and third instars and adults were reared on treated apple leaf disks. During the final 3 yr of study, bioassays involved only third instars on treated leaf material. Tests showed that A. spiraecola was significantly more tolerant to imidacloprid compared with A. pomi. Depending on the bioassay method and aphid developmental stage, average LC50 values for A. spiraecola were 4.4 -5.7 times higher than those for A. pomi established under the same test conditions. Clones of both species from Washington were marginally more tolerant to imidacloprid than clones from British Columbia, but the differences were generally not significant. Average measures of susceptibility for clones from organic orchards or unsprayed trees also did not differ from those for clones from conventional orchards, and there was no evidence for increasing LC50 values over the 6 yr of study. Differences in susceptibility to insecticides between these two anatomically similar species should be considered during the testing of new products for use on apple.

Chemical residues and bioactivity of tebufenozide applied to apple foliage.

Tebufenozide, an insect growth regulator that acts as an ecdysone agonist, was applied at recommended label rate to apple trees in August 1997 and May 1998. Foliar residues were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography from samples collected 2, 24, 48 and 96 h post-spray, and at weekly intervals thereafter for 9 weeks in 1997 and 11 weeks in 1998. Foliage sampled at the same times was used in bioassays to determine residual toxicity to first-instar obliquebanded leafrollers, Choristoneura rosaceana (Harris). Residue decay followed first-order kinetics in both years, with residual half-life of 36.3 days in 1997 and 7.2 days in 1998. Estimates of the time needed to reduce bioactivity to 50% in bioassays were 18.7 days in 1997 and 36.3 days in 1998. The accuracy of equations describing decay of tebufenozide residues and bioactivity over time was not improved by using degree-day accumulations as the independent variable.

Susceptibility of leafrollers (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) from organic and conventional orchards to azinphosmethyl, spinosad, and Bacillus thuringiensis.

Populations of obliquebanded leafroller, Choristoneura rosaceana Harris, and three-lined leafroller, Pandemis limitata Robinson, were obtained from seven sites in the Okanagan and Similkameen Valleys of British Columbia and assayed for their responses to three insecticides using a leaf disk bioassay. Lethal concentration ratios (LCRs) were calculated for all populations compared with a susceptible laboratory colony of C. rosaceana; significant variation was detected in response to all three insecticides. LCRs were 0.86-15.52 for azinphosmethyl, 0.38-2.37 for spinosad (Success), and 0.58-4.89 for Bacillus thuringiensis (Foray). Correlation analysis indicated no cross-resistance among the three insecticides. Leafroller populations obtained from apple orchards managed with organic production practices were more susceptible to azinphosmethyl than leafrollers obtained from conventionally managed sites. Conversely, the highest levels of tolerance to B. thuringiensis were observed in the populations from organic sites, possibly reflecting usage patterns; B. thuringiensis is one of the few insecticides allowed under organic production guidelines. All populations were highly susceptible to spinosad, which may be a useful tool for resistance management programs if used judiciously.

Comparison of bioassay techniques for determining baseline susceptibilities to imidacloprid for green apple aphid (Homoptera: Aphididae).

The susceptibility of a clone of green apple aphid, Aphis pomi (De Geer), to the neonicotinyl insecticide imidacloprid was determined by direct and indirect bioassay techniques. Aphid numbers were assessed on potted apple seedlings treated with various concentrations of imidacloprid, adults were dipped in test solutions as per the Food and Agriculture Organization protocol, or nymphs and adults were reared on treated apple leaf disks. Effective concentrations required to kill half of the test population (EC50) varied depending on the bioassay technique, ranging from as low as 0.064 ppm for first instars reared for 3 d on treated leaf disks to 1.79 ppm for adult apterae dipped in solutions of imidacloprid and held for 24 h on clean leaf disks. When imidacloprid was directly applied to aphids, mortality continued to increase over 3 d, but the difference was not statistically significant between day 2 (1.36 ppm) and day 3 (1.19 ppm). Toxicity of neonicotinyls to aphids is expressed rather slowly and primarily after oral ingestion. The effect of imidacloprid on reproduction of green apple aphid was also assessed for adult apterae reared on treated leaf disks. Contrary to previous reports, our results demonstrated that imidacloprid does not have a direct negative effect on the reproductive physiology of this species. Negative effects can mostly be attributed to the antifeedant activity of this compound and the protracted time to death. The results of this study contribute to a better understanding of the most suitable techniques for assessing aphid mortality after exposure to these new insecticides and provides a baseline susceptibility to imidacloprid for green apple aphid.

Resistance and cross-resistance to four insecticides in populations of obliquebanded leafroller (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae).

Populations of obliquebanded leafroller, Choristoneura rosaceana (Harris), were collected from organic and conventionally managed orchards located in the Okanagan and Similkameen Valleys of British Columbia Neonate F1 progeny were assayed for resistance to azinphosmethyl, tebufenozide, methoxyfenozide, and indoxacarb using a leaf disk bioassay. Significant differences in resistance levels among populations were observed for all four insecticides. Insects collected from organic sites were more susceptible to all insecticides than were insects collected from conventional sites. Resistance to the benzoylhydrazine insect growth regulators tebufenozide and methoxyfenozide was highly correlated with resistance to azinphosmethyl across populations, indicating cross-resistance between these compounds. The highest levels of resistance were observed with indoxacarb, but resistance levels to indoxacarb did not correlate with those for azinphosmethyl. Dose-response regression lines for tebufenozide were parallel across populations, suggesting that the resistance mechanism(s) were quantitatively, but not qualitatively, different. Cross-resistance between azinphosmethyl and benzoylhydrazine insecticides indicates that a resistance management strategy for obliquebanded leafroller involving the rotation of these materials is not likely to be successful.