Biochemical and molecular basis of Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) resistance to pyrethroids and spinosyns

Abstract

The Tuta absoluta is a key pest of tomato crops and the use of insecticides is still the main method of control. However, overuse of them has contributed to the development of resistant populations. Although the pyrethroid resistance mechanism in this species has been described, there is no information on their status in Brazilian populations. Regarding the spinosyns, despite the reports of resistance to these molecules, the underlying mechanisms are unknown. The objective of this research was to characterize the resistance to pyrethroids and spinosad in Brazilian populations of T. absoluta by conventional methods (bioassays), enzymatic and molecular assays. All populations tested were resistant to pyrethroids. The GSTs activity and cytochrome P450-mediated N-demethylation was significantly correlated with the level of resistance to deltamethrin and permethrin suggesting that these enzymes can play a role in resistance. TaqMan assays demonstrated that the mutation in L1014F sodium channel is fixed in all populations and is associated with other mutations T929I and M918T. Spinosad synergism (synergistic with PBO, DEF, and DEM) indicated that the metabolic enzymes are not involved in resistance. Comparison of the nucleotide sequence of the subunit of the nicotinic receptor α6 T. absoluta susceptible and resistant to the point spinosad allowed identification nucleotide change resulting in the substitution of a glycine (G) in the susceptible insects by glutamic acid (E) resistant insects (G275E). The TaqMan assays revealed that the frequency of the resistant allele in the population is low. The diagnostic dose bioassays correlated with the resistant allele frequency. The T. absoluta Brazilian populations are resistant to pyrethroid insecticides and the main mechanism of resistance is the L1014F mutation, while for spinosad insecticide, most people are sensitive and the G275E mutation can lead to the loss of efficiency of this product for control of this plague.