Abstract

STADLER, Teodoro. A diagnostic test for insecticide resistance monitoring in "cotton boll weevil" Anthonomus grandis (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) populations. Rev. Soc. Entomol. Argent. [online]. 2009, vol.68, n.1-2, pp.231-239. ISSN 0373-5680.

The  in-season  control  of  the  cotton  boll  weevil Anthonomus grandis Boheman is done by insecticide application, which so far is the only effective way to reduce boll weevil populations to levels below economic significance. The extensive and intensive control actions with insecticides cause selective pressure on pest populations. Thus, to achieve an accurate insecticide resistance management of boll weevil, the assessment of changes in the susceptibility to chemicals of A. grandis populations is required. A field method for insecticide resistance diagnosis in cotton boll weevil was developed which is based on the principle of the "vial-test". The method was adapted to a kit that provides a fast, simple and reliable tool that allows a direct pre-assessment of early insecticide resistance outbreaks in A. grandis field populations. The toxicity (LC₉₉) data to calculate the discriminating concentration of the insecticide to be used for the preparation of the kit was assessed by laboratory toxicity screening on normal susceptible adult A. grandis. To establish the expiration date for the kit, the half-life of the pesticide inside the vials was assessed by CIPAC MT 46. The DC for the two pesticides as well as the whole method was validated in field trials. The insecticide resistance field test kit was shown as a valuable tool to be used directly at the local geographical, economical and socio-cultural circumstances of the Argentine cotton growing area. Early resistance diagnosis on cotton boll weevil populations allows proper pesticide alternation, leading to a subsequent lower environmental impact of agronomic practices for the control of insect pests in cotton.

Keywords : Pesticide resistance monitoring; Cotton boll weevil; Integrated Pest Management.

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