Characterization of Helicoverpa armigera (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) resistance to chlorantraniliprole and evaluation of the mixture with Bacillus thuringiensis (Eubacteriales: Bacillaceae) as resistance management strategy

Abstract

The Brazilian agricultural production system is characterized by successive crop cultivation in large scale farming in tropical climate which favor the evolution of resistance of insect pests to control agents. The continuous and inadequate use of insecticides and Bt plants to manage these insect pests resulted in some cases of resistance impairing the sustainability of agricultural production systems. One of the insect pests of great economic importance has been Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner) because of its bioecological features that favors the evolution of resistance to insecticides in intensive crop production systems in Brazil. Thus, the major goal of this research proposal is (i) to understand the potential risk of resistance of H. armigera to chlorantraniliprole which is one of the main insecticides used to control this pest and other insect pests, and (ii) to evaluate the potential synergistic effect of the mixture with biological insecticide based on Bacillus thuringiensis Berliner. We will conduct studies of resistance monitoring and characterization of the resistance (inheritance of the resistance and fitness costs associated with resistance), besides evaluating B. thuringiensis var. kurstaki used by itself or in mixture with chorantraniliprole. These studies will help to design some insect resistance management (IRM) strategies to preserve the lifetime of chlorantraniprole to control H. armigera. (AU)