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ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Wapato, Washington » Temperate Tree Fruit and Vegetable Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #399370
Research Project: New Technologies and Strategies for Managing Emerging Insect Pests and Insect Transmitted Pathogens of Potatoes

Location: Temperate Tree Fruit and Vegetable Research

Title: Afidopyropen as a potential tool for potato leafroll virus management in post-neonicotinoid potato production

Author
item Angelella, Gina
item WATERS, TIMOTHY - Washington State University

Submitted to: Journal of Economic Entomology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 2/6/2023
Publication Date: 3/23/2023
Citation: Angelella, G.M., Waters, T.D. 2023. Afidopyropen as a potential tool for potato leafroll virus management in post-neonicotinoid potato production. Journal of Economic Entomology. 116(3):713-718. https://doi.org/10.1093/jee/toad042.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/jee/toad042

Interpretive Summary: Since the widespread adoption of neonicotinoids in potato production, Potato leafroll virus (PLRV) has become virtually absent from agricultural fields in the U.S. However, with increasing pressure mounting to move away from neonicotinoids, there is concern that PLRV could enjoy a resurgence in the absence of effective alternative chemistries. A researcher at USDA-ARS Wapato in Washington, in collaboration with a scientist from Washington State University, determined that treatment with afidopyropen can decrease PLRV transmission in potatoes by 35–89%, and that this is likely due to resulting reductions in phloem feeding. While reductions in transmission are not as dramatic as seen with neonicotinoids, afidopyropen may be useful in combination with other options for PLRV management.

Technical Abstract: Potato leafroll virus (PLRV) has been well managed by neonicotinoids since their widespread adoption in the U.S., becoming virtually absent from seed and production fields in the Northwest. However, with increasing interest in discontinuing neonicotinoid usage, there is concern that PLRV could enjoy a resurgence in the absence of effective alternative chemistries. We tested the effects of afidopyropen, an insecticide with novel mode of action, on PLRV transmission and the feeding/probing behavior of its primary vector, the green peach aphid (Myzus persicae [Sulzer]). Afidopyropen foliar sprays decreased PLRV transmission by individual green peach aphids relative to water controls: PLRV acquisition from treated potato plants and subsequent transmission was reduced by 89%, and PLRV inoculation by viruliferous aphids to treated potato plants was reduced by 35%. Although electropenetrograph analyses following 4-h recordings of individual aphids on potato plants showed decreases in the total and mean duration of phloem feeding (E) on plants subject to an afidopyropen treatment relative to water, these only trended toward significance. Taken together, these results suggest treatment with afidopyropen can decrease PLRV transmission in potatoes, but that significant changes in feeding/probing might not occur quickly post-exposure. Overall, while the reductions in transmission were not as dramatic as have been observed following neonicotinoid treatments, afidopyropen may be a useful alternative and should be evaluated in field experiments.