Relationship between esterase activity and acrinathrin and methiocarb resistance in field populations of western flower thrips, Frankliniella occidentalis.

The western flower thrips, Frankliniella occidentalis (Pergande), is a serious pest in the south-east of Spain owing to its direct feeding on crops, transmission of the tomato spotted wilt virus and its very high level of resistance to insecticides. Mechanisms of resistance were examined using field populations of F. occidentalis with different susceptibilities to acrinathrin, methiocarb (selective insecticides), endosulfan, metamidophos and deltamethrin (broad-spectrum insecticides).

Vitellogenin polypeptide levels in one susceptible and one cadmium-resistant strain of Oncopeltus fasciatus (Heteroptera: Lygaeidae), and its role in cadmium resistance.

The heavy metal Cd has recently been shown to have endocrine disrupting activity in different vertebrate species. In the insect Oncopeltus fasciatus, Cd exposure delays ovarian maturation and inhibits vitellogenesis, probably through a reduction in vitellogenin (Vg) polypeptide synthesis. An O.

Evaluation of metabolic detoxifying enzyme activities and insecticide resistance in Frankliniella occidentalis.

The western flower thrips Frankliniella occidentalis (Pergande) is a very significant pest of a number of different agricultural crops in the south-east of Spain. The importance of thrips as a pest is not due mainly to the direct damage inflicted on the plant, but to the loss in commercial value which occurs as a consequence of the development of dark spots caused by the tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV) which they transmit. The economic threshold is therefore almost zero, which enhances the problems of resistance management.