Nicotinic acetylcholine receptor α6 subunit mutation (G275V) found in a spinosad-resistant strain of the flower thrips, Frankliniella intonsa (Thysanoptera: Thripidae)

The flower thrips Frankliniella intonsa strain showing resistance to spinosad was established in the laboratory. The resistant strain showed an LC₅₀ value of 1398.7 mg/L in a leaf dipping/contact assay. The LC₅₀ value was ca. 280 times higher than that of the most susceptible strain. An insecticidal assay using synergists suggested no involvement of degradation enzymes, such as cytochrome P450, glutathione S-transferase, and carboxyl esterase, in the resistance. Glycine at amino acid position 275 of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) α6 subunit was mutated to valine in the resistant strain. These results suggest that spinosad resistance in F. intonsa is conferred by the reduced sensitivity of nAChR.