Dual mutations in the whitefly nicotinic acetylcholine receptor ß1 subunit confer target-site resistance to multiple neonicotinoid insecticides.

Neonicotinoid insecticides, which target insect nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs), have been widely and intensively used to control the whitefly, Bemisia tabaci, a highly damaging, globally distributed, crop pest. This has inevitably led to the emergence of populations with resistance to neonicotinoids. However, to date, there have been no reports of target-site resistance involving mutation of B. tabaci nAChR genes. Here we characterize the nAChR subunit gene family of B. tabaci and identify dual mutations (A58T&R79E) in one of these genes (BTß1) that confer resistance to multiple neonicotinoids. Transgenic D. melanogaster, where the native nAChR Dß1 was replaced with BTß1A58T&R79E, were significantly more resistant to neonicotinoids than flies where Dß1 were replaced with the wildtype BTß1 sequence, demonstrating the causal role of the mutations in resistance. The two mutations identified in this study replace two amino acids that are highly conserved in >200 insect species. Three-dimensional modelling suggests a molecular mechanism for this resistance, whereby A58T forms a hydrogen bond with the R79E side chain, which positions its negatively-charged carboxylate group to electrostatically repulse a neonicotinoid at the orthosteric site. Together these findings describe the first case of target-site resistance to neonicotinoids in B. tabaci and provide insight into the molecular determinants of neonicotinoid binding and selectivity.

Novel_miR-1517 mediates CYP6CM1 to regulate imidacloprid resistance in Bemisia tabaci (Hemiptera: Gennadius).

Bemisia tabaci (Hemiptera: Gennadius) is a notorious pest that is capable of feeding on >600 kinds of agricultural crops. Imidacloprid is critical in managing pest with sucking mouthparts, such as B. tabaci. However, the field population of B. tabaci has evolved resistance because of insecticide overuse. The overexpression of the detoxification enzyme cytochrome P450 monooxygenase is considered the main mechanism of imidacloprid resistance, but the mechanism underlying gene regulation remains unclear. MicroRNAs are a type of endogenous small molecule compounds that is fundamental in regulating gene expression at the post-transcriptional level. Whether miRNAs are related to the imidacloprid resistance of B. tabaci remains unknown. To gain deep insight into imidacloprid resistance, we conducted on miRNAs expression profiling of two B. tabaci Mediterranean (MED) strains with 19-fold resistance through deep sequencing of small RNAs. A total of 8 known and 1591 novel miRNAs were identified. In addition, 16 miRNAs showed significant difference in expression levels between the two strains, as verified by quantitative reverse transcription PCR. Among these, novel_miR-376, 1517, and 1136 significantly expressed at low levels in resistant samples, decreasing by 36.9%, 60.2%, and 15.6%, respectively. Moreover, modulating novel_miR-1517 expression by feeding with 1517 inhibitor and 1517 mimic significantly affected B. tabaci imidacloprid susceptibility by regulating CYP6CM1 expression. In this article, miRNAs related to imidacloprid resistance of B. tabaci were systematically screened and identified, providing important information for the miRNA-based technological innovation for this pest management.

Over-expression of UDP-glycosyltransferase UGT353G2 confers resistance to neonicotinoids in whitefly (Bemisia tabaci).

The whitefly, Bemisia tabaci, comes up high metabolic resistance to most neonicotinoids in long-term evolution, which is the key problem of pest control. UGT glycosyltransferase, as a secondary detoxification enzyme, plays an indispensable role in detoxification metabolism. In this study, UGT inhibitors, 5-nitrouracil and sulfinpyrazone, dramatically augmented the toxic damage of neonicotinoids to B. tabaci. A UGT named UGT353G2 was identified in whitefly, which was notably up-regulated in resistant strain (3.92 folds), and could be induced by most neonicotinoids. Additionally, the using of RNA interference (RNAi) suppresses UGT353G2 substantially increased sensitivity to neonicotinoids in resistant strain. Our results support that UGT353G2 may be involved in the neonicotinoids resistance of whitefly. These findings will help further verify the functional role of UGTs in neonicotinoid resistance.

Parasitism, emergence, and development of Spalangia endius (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae) in pupae of different ages of Bactrocera cucurbitae (Diptera: Tephritidae).

The wasp Spalangia endius Walker (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae) is a major parasitoid of the pupae of fruit flies, which are a common agricultural pest. An understanding of this intricate host-parasitoid interaction could provide basic information necessary for the sustainable integrated biological control of fruit flies. In this study, we investigated the effect of S. endius on different-aged pupae of the melon fly Bactrocera cucurbitae Coquillett by using choice and nonchoice tests under laboratory conditions. We showed that S. endius females oviposited, and their progeny successfully developed, in different-aged pupae of B. cucurbitae regardless of the method of exposure. There was an oviposition preference for 3-5-d-old pupa. The highest mean percentage parasitism occurred on 4- and 5-d-old hosts, followed by 2- and 3-d-old hosts. The average development time for both males and females was significantly longer in 6-7-d-old hosts than in the younger host stages. Adult females that developed from younger host pupae (2-5-d old) were significantly heavier than those from older host pupae (6-7-d old), and they also lived longer. The sex ratio (proportion of females) of the parasite progeny decreased with an increase in host age. Host mortality also decreased gradually as the pupal age increased. The differences in development time, body weight, and longevity between females and males were significant. These results suggest that S. endius is a good candidate for the biological control of B. cucurbitae.

Knockdown of the Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor ß1 Subunit Decreases the Susceptibility to Five Neonicotinoid Insecticides in Whitefly (Bemisia tabaci).

The sweet potato whitefly, Bemisia tabaci, (Gennadius) (Hemiptera:Aleyrodidae) is a global pest of crops. Neonicotinoids are efficient insecticides used for control of this pest. Insecticidal targets of neonicotinoids are insect nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs). Here, we characterized and cloned the full length of the nAChR ß1 subunit (BTß1) in B. tabaci and confirmed the consistency of BTß1 in B. tabaci MEAM1 and MED. Expression levels of BTß1 in different developmental stages and body parts of adults were investigated and compared in B. tabaci MED. dsRNA was prepared to knock down BTß1 in adult B. tabaci and significantly decreases the susceptibility to five neonicotinoid insecticides, including imidacloprid, clothianidin, thiacloprid, nitenpyram, and dinotefuran. This study indicated BTß1 as a notable site influencing the susceptibility of B. tabaci to neonicotinoids.