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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Stoneville, Mississippi » Southern Insect Management Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #75883
Title: CHANGES IN TOLERANCE TO INSECTICIDES IN TOBACCO BUDWORM POPULATIONS IN MISSISSIPPI, 1993-1995

Author
item Elzen, Gary

Submitted to: Southwestern Entomologist
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 12/1/1996
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary: The tobacco budworm, Heliothis virescens (F.), is one of the most economically important insect pests of cotton in the United States and accounts for a large percentage of insecticides used for cotton production. This pest has developed resistance to all classes of conventional insecticides used for its control. Bioassays were conducted to evaluate resistance in field populations collected in Mississippi from 1993 through 1995. High levels of resistance were found to pyrethroid and carbamate insecticides. Resistance to an organophosphorus insecticide was found in several strains. Significant resistance was found to the biological insecticide Bacillus thuringiensis in one strain. Imidacloprid, representing a new class of insecticide, was found to have ovicidal and larvacidal activity on tobacco budworm. Multiple resistance is apparent and cross-resistance is present to carbamate insecticides. Biorational insecticides and other alternative strategies such as biological control are needed for management of this pest.

Technical Abstract: Strains of the tobacco budworm, Heliothis virescens (F.), collected in Mississippi in 1993 through 1995 were evaluated in bioassays to four classes of insecticides and Bacillus thuringiensis Berliner. High levels of resistance were found to cypermethrin, methomyl, and thiodicarb. Resistance to the organophosphorus insecticide profenofos was found in several strains. Significant resistance to B. thuringiensis Berliner was observed in one strain. Possible synergism of a pyrethroid in combination with the synergist piperonyl butoxide was observed. Imidacloprid, representing a new class of insecticide, was found to have ovicidal and larvacidal activity on H. virescens. Multiple resistance is still apparent and cross-resistance is present to carbamate insecticides. Resistance to pyrethroids appears to be stabilized at a high level.