Resistance to bio-insecticides or how to enhance their sustainability: a review

Comparisons of Transcriptional Profiles of Gut Genes between Cry1Ab-Resistant and Susceptible Strains of Ostrinia nubilalis Revealed Genes Possibly Related to the Adaptation of Resistant Larvae to Transgenic Cry1Ab Corn

A microarray developed on the basis of 2895 unique transcripts from larval gut was used to compare gut gene expression profiles between a laboratory-selected Cry1Ab-resistant (R) strain and its isoline susceptible (S) strain of the European corn borer (Ostrinia nubilalis) after the larvae were fed the leaves of transgenic corn (MON810) expressing Cry1Ab or its non-transgenic isoline for 6 h. We revealed 398 gut genes differentially expressed (i.e., either up- or down-regulated genes with expression ratio ≥2.0) in S-strain, but only 264 gut genes differentially expressed in R-strain after being fed transgenic corn leaves. Although the percentages of down-regulated genes among the total number of differentially expressed genes (50% in S-strain and 45% in R-strain) were similar between the R- and S-strains, the expression ratios of down-regulated genes were much higher in S-strain than in R-strain. We revealed that 17 and 9 significantly up- or down-regulated gut genes from S and R-strain, respectively, including serine proteases and aminopeptidases. These genes may be associated with Cry1Ab toxicity by degradation, binding, and cellular defense. Overall, our study suggests enhanced adaptation of Cry1Ab-resistant larvae on transgenic Cry1Ab corn as revealed by lower number and lower ratios of differentially expressed genes in R-strain than in S-strain of O. nubilalis.

A new formulation of Bacillus thuringiensis: UV protection and sustained release mosquito larvae studies

Persistence of Bacillus thuringiensis is an important factor in determining the success of this product as a pest control agent. In this report we present the development of a highly active mosquitocidal formulation with high resistance to UV. LLP29-M19 strain of Bt, selected by repeated exposure to UV was found to be highly resistant to UV. The product was optimized and the methods used were statistically analyzed. Using single-factor experiments it was determined that the optimal concentration of sodium alginate, CaCl₂ and hollow glass beads in the formulation were 1.0%, 2.0% and 3.5%, respectively. Plackett-Burman design was used to screen the interaction of the three factors, CaCl₂, sodium alginate and hollow glass beads in the sustained-release formulation. The best combined concentration and mutual effects of the three factors were optimized by response surface methodology. The results showed that the most favorable composition was sodium alginate 0.78%, CaCl₂ 4.52%, hollow glass bead 3.12%, bacterial powder 3.0%, melanin 0.015%, sodium benzoate 0.2%, and mouse feed 0.5%, resulting in the immobilization time of 4.5 h, at which time the corrected sustained-release virulence rose 2391.67 fold, which was 6.07-fold higher than the basic formulation and deviated only 5.0% from the value predicted by RSM.

Combining Attractants and Larvicides in Biodegradable Matrices for Sustainable Mosquito Vector Control

Background

There is a global need for cost-effective and environmentally friendly tools for control of mosquitoes and mosquito-borne diseases. One potential way to achieve this is to combine already available tools to gain synergistic effects to reduce vector mosquito populations. Another possible way to improve mosquito control is to extend the active period of a given control agent, enabling less frequent applications and consequently, more efficient and longer lasting vector population suppression.

Methodology/principal findings

We investigated the potential of biodegradable wax emulsions to improve the performance of semiochemical attractants for gravid female culicine vectors of disease, as well as to achieve more effective control of their aquatic larval offspring. As an attractant for gravid females, we selected acetoxy hexadecanolide (AHD), the Culex oviposition pheromone. As toxicant for mosquito larvae, we chose the biological larvicides Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis (Bti) and Bacillus sphaericus (Bs). These attractant and larvicidal agents were incorporated, separately and in combination, into a biodegradable wax emulsion, a commercially available product called SPLAT (Specialized Pheromone & Lure Application Technology) and SPLATbac, which contains 8.33% Bti and 8.33% Bs. Wax emulsions were applied to water surfaces as buoyant pellets of 20 mg each. Dose-mortality analyses of Culex quinquefasciatus Say larvae demonstrated that a single 20 mg pellet of a 10⁻¹ dilution of SPLATbac in a larval tray containing 1 L of water caused 100% mortality of neonate (1^st instar) larvae for at least five weeks after application. Mortality of 3^rd instar larvae remained equally high with SPLATbac dilutions down to 10⁻² for over two weeks post application. Subsequently, AHD was added to SPLAT (emulsion only, without Bs or Bti) to attract gravid females (SPLATahd), or together with biological larvicides to attract ovipositing females and kill emerging larvae (SPLATbacAHD, 10⁻¹ dilution) in both laboratory and semi-field settings. The formulations containing AHD, irrespective of presence of larvicides, were strongly preferred as an oviposition substrate by gravid female mosquitoes over controls for more than two weeks post application. Experiments conducted under semi-field settings (large screened greenhouse, emulating field conditions) confirmed the results obtained in the laboratory. The combination of attractant and larvicidal agents in a single formulation resulted in a substantial increase in larval mosquito mortality when compared to formulations containing the larvicide agents alone.

Conclusions/significance

Collectively, our data demonstrate the potential for the effective use of wax emulsions as slow release matrices for mosquito attractants and control agents. The results indicate that the combination of an oviposition attractant with larvicides could synergize the control of mosquito disease vectors, specifically Cx. quinquefasciatus, a nuisance pest and circumtropical vector of lymphatic filariasis and encephalitis.

Traditionally, a key intervention in mosquito control is the use of insecticides against the adult stage. However, various factors limit the long-term use of these control methods, including the development of insecticide resistance, changes in mosquito biting behaviour, and concerns regarding potential negative impacts of insecticides on the environment. There is therefore a need for alternative management strategies, such as those that target aquatic life stages of mosquitoes. The objective of this study was to investigate the potential of biodegradable wax emulsions such as SPLAT for use in attracting gravid females and control of aquatic stages of culicine vectors. Culex mosquito oviposition pheromone (acetoxy hexadecanolide, AHD) was selected as an attractant, and Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis (Bti) and Bacillus sphaericus (Bs) were used as control agents. Buoyant 20 mg pellets, created by drying SPLAT dollops prior to application, were applied to water surfaces. Dose-mortality analyses of Cx. quinquefasciatus larvae demonstrated that one single pellet caused 100% mortality of first instar larvae for at least five weeks post application. Mortality of 3^rd instar larvae remained equally high even at 10⁻² dilutions for over two weeks post application. In addition, AHD was embedded in SPLAT to either attract gravid females (SPLATahd) or to first attract gravid females to oviposit and then to kill the resulting larval offspring (SPLATbacAHD, 10⁻¹ dilution) in both laboratory and semi-field settings. The wax matrix containing AHD, with or without Bti and Bs, was strongly preferred as an oviposition substrate over controls for over two weeks post application. Both laboratory and semi-field experiments showed a marked increase in larval mortality effects when a semiochemical attractant and larvicides were combined, compared to matrices containing larvicides alone. These findings indicate the potential for using wax emulsions such as SPLAT as a slow release matrix for mosquito attractants and control agents; and that the combination could synergize the control of Cx. quinquefasciatus.

Neem Oil and Crop Protection: From Now to the Future

A major challenge of agriculture is to increase food production to meet the needs of the growing world population, without damaging the environment. In current agricultural practices, the control of pests is often accomplished by means of the excessive use of agrochemicals, which can result in environmental pollution and the development of resistant pests. In this context, biopesticides can offer a better alternative to synthetic pesticides, enabling safer control of pest populations. However, limitations of biopesticides, including short shelf life, photosensitivity, and volatilization, make it difficult to use them on a large scale. Here, we review the potential use of neem oil in crop protection, considering the gaps and obstacles associated with the development of sustainable agriculture in the not too distant future.

Trends and Challenges in Pesticide Resistance Detection

Pesticide resistance is a crucial factor to be considered when developing strategies for the minimal use of pesticides while maintaining pesticide efficacy. This goal requires monitoring the emergence and development of resistance to pesticides in crop pests. To this end, various methods for resistance diagnosis have been developed for different groups of pests. This review provides an overview of biological, biochemical, and molecular methods that are currently used to detect and quantify pesticide resistance. The agronomic, technical, and economic advantages and drawbacks of each method are considered. Emerging technologies are also described, with their associated challenges and their potential for the detection of resistance mechanisms likely to be selected by current and future plant protection methods.

The production and uses of Beauveria bassiana as a microbial insecticide

Among invertebrate fungal pathogens, Beauveria bassiana has assumed a key role in management of numerous arthropod agricultural, veterinary and forestry pests. Beauveria is typically deployed in one or more inundative applications of large numbers of aerial conidia in dry or liquid formulations, in a chemical paradigm. Mass production is mainly practiced by solid-state fermentation to yield hydrophobic aerial conidia, which remain the principal active ingredient of mycoinsecticides. More robust and cost-effective fermentation and formulation downstream platforms are imperative for its overall commercialization by industry. Hence, where economics allow, submerged liquid fermentation provides alternative method to produce effective and stable propagules that can be easily formulated as dry stable preparations. Formulation also continues to be a bottleneck in the development of stable and effective commercial Beauveria-mycoinsecticides in many countries, although good commercial formulations do exist. Future research on improving fermentation and formulation technologies coupled with the selection of multi-stress tolerant and virulent strains is needed to catalyze the widespread acceptance and usefulness of this fungus as a cost-effective mycoinsecticide. The role of Beauveria as one tool among many in integrated pest management, rather than a stand-alone management approach, needs to be better developed across the range of crop systems. Here, we provide an overview of mass-production and formulation strategies, updated list of registered commercial products, major biocontrol programs and ecological aspects affecting the use of Beauveria as a mycoinsecticide.

Pyrethroid-resistance is modulated by miR-92a by targeting CpCPR4 in Culex pipiens pallens

The wide use of pyrethroids has resulted in the emergence and spread of resistance in mosquito populations, which represent a major obstacle in the struggle against vector-borne diseases. Resistance to pyrethroids is a complex genetic phenomenon attributed by polygenetic inheritance. We previously have sequenced and analyzed the miRNA profiles of Culex pipiens pallens. MiR-92a was found to be overexpressed in a deltamethrin-resistant (DR) strain. The association of miR-92a with pyrethroid-resistance was investigated by quantitative reverse transcription PCR (qRT-PCR). Expression levels of miR-92a were 2.72-fold higher in the DR strain than in the deltamethrin-susceptible (DS) strain. Bioinformatic analysis suggested that CpCPR4, a mosquito cuticle gene, is the target of miR-92a. Dual luciferase reporter assays further confirmed that CpCPR4 is modulated by miR-92a through binding to a specific target site in the 3' untranslated region (3' UTR). Microinjection of the miR-92a inhibitor upregulated CpCPR4 expression levels, leading to an increase in the susceptibility of the DR strain in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) bottle bioassay (a surveillance tool for detecting resistance to insecticides in vector populations). Taken together, our findings indicate that miR-92a regulates pyrethroid-resistance through its interaction with CpCPR4.

Cloning of eight Rhopalosiphum padi (Hemiptera: Aphididae) nAChR subunit genes and mutation detection of the β1 subunit in field samples from China

The bird cherry-oat aphid, Rhopalosiphum padi (L.), is one of the most important wheat pests. This aphid damages through direct feeding and by transmitting the Barley yellow dwarf virus (BYDV). Both types of damage significantly reduce the quality and yield of wheat crops globally. Insecticides are the primary method of controlling the bird cherry-oat aphid in China, yet this aphid species has developed resistance to different types of insecticides, especially organophosphates and carbamates. In the last decade, control of R. padi depends primarily on the spray of neonicotinoid insecticides, however, research on the resistance of R. padi to neonicotinoids has been limited. In this study, the full lengths of seven α-subunit (Rpα1, Rpα2, Rpα3, Rpα4, Rpα5, Rpα7-1, and Rpα7-2) and one β-subunit (Rpβ1) genes from R. padi were obtained with RT-PCR and RACE techniques. Sequence analysis showed that these genes had all the characteristics of the nAChR gene family and were highly homologous with the reported nAChR genes from other insects, and alternative splicing was detected in Rpα3 and Rpα5 subunits. Analysis of the cDNA sequence of the extracellular region of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor β1 subunit gene from 120 R. padi field samples collected in 11 Provinces revealed 17 single nucleotides polymorphism (SNP) sites, of which seven were amino acid polymorphism sites (V53I, V53G, N54T, A60T, F61L, W79C, and V83I) and two were in the loop D region (W79C and V83I). The current study will facilitate further studies on the molecular mechanisms of targeted resistance of the aphid to neonicotinoid insecticides.