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Title: FLIGHT BEHAVIOR OF METHYL-PARATHION-RESISTANT AND SUSCEPTIBLE WESTERN CORN ROOTWORM (COLOPTERA: CHRYSOMELIDAE) POPULATIONS FROM NEBRASKA

Author
item STEBBING, JENNY - U NEBRASKA LINCOLN
item MEINKE, LANCE - U NEBRASKA LINCOLN
item Naranjo, Steven
item SIEGFRIED, BLAIR - U NEBRASKA LINCOLN
item WRIGHT, ROBERT - U NEBRASKA LINCOLN
item Chandler, Laurence - Larry

Submitted to: Journal of Economic Entomology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/1/2005
Publication Date: 9/1/2005
Citation: Stebbing, J.A., Meinke, L.J., Naranjo, S.E., Siegfried, B.D., Wright, R.J., Chandler, L.D. 2005. Flight behavior of methyl-parathion-resistant and susceptible western corn rootworm (coloptera: chrysomelidae) populations from nebraska. Journal of Economic Entomology 98(4): 1294-1304.

Interpretive Summary: The western corn rootworm is the key pest of corn throughout the mid-western US. In areas of Nebraska where adult control is practiced populations have developed resistance to several insecticides. Relative flight behavior of methyl-parathion resistant and susceptible rootworm populations was studied as part of a larger effort to characterize the potential impact of insecticide resistance on adult life history traits and to understand the evolution and spread of resistance. A computer interfaced flight mill was used to compare flight of resistant and susceptible individuals, and flight of resistant individuals with and without prior exposure to methyl parathion. There were few differences in flight characteristics due to beetle population, sex, or age. Flight activity was similar among resistant and susceptible beetles with the exception that susceptible beetles initiated more flights than resistant beetles. After sublethal exposure to methyl-parathion, total flight time and mean number of flights per resistant beetle declined significantly. Because long-range flight was uncommon, short to medium duration flights may play an important role in determining gene flow and population spread of resistant rootworms. Data suggest that organophosphate resistant beetles can readily move and colonize new areas, but localized selection pressure (e.g., management practices) and exposure to methyl-parathion may contribute to the small-scale differences in resistance intensity often seen in the field.

Technical Abstract: Relative flight behavior of methyl-parathion resistant and susceptible western corn rootworm populations, Diabrotica virgifera virgifera was studied as part of a larger effort to characterize the potential impact of insecticide resistance on adult life history traits. Tethered flight assays were used to compare flight of resistant and susceptible individuals, and flight of resistant individuals with and without prior exposure to methyl parathion. There were few differences in trivial or sustained flight as affected by beetle population, sex, or age. Tethered flight activity within populations was highly variable and distributions of flight duration were skewed towards flights of short duration. Tethered flight activity was similar among resistant and susceptible beetles with the exception that susceptible beetles initiated more flights than resistant beetles. After sublethal exposure to methyl-parathion, total flight time, total trivial flight time, and mean number of flights per resistant beetle declined significantly. Because long-range flight was uncommon, short to medium duration flights may play an important role in determining gene flow and population spread of resistant D.v.virgifera. Data suggest that organophosphate resistant beetles can readily move and colonize new areas, but localized selection pressure (e.g., management practices) and exposure to methyl-parathion may contribute to the small-scale differences in resistance intensity often seen in the field.