Resistência de populações pernambucanas de traças-das-crucíferas, Plutella xylostella (L.,1758) (Lepidoptera : Plutellidae) a inseticidas

Abstract

Plutella xylostella (L.) (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae), popularly known as diamondback moth, is a major pest of brassicaceae crops (e.g., kale, cauliflower, broccoli, and cabbage) throughout the world. Several insecticides have been intensively used during several cultivation cycles and, even in some areas, up to 15 to 20 applications per season have been observed. Besides the problems they may cause to human and environmental health, the frequent use of these products has been associated to the evolution of resistance in P. xylostella populations to various insecticides such as the pyrethroids, carbamates, organophosphates, and even Bacillus thuringiensis. The current study objective was to identify the resistance in P. xylostella populations from Pernambuco State, when exposed to abamectin, methomyl, lufenuron, indoxacarb, and diafentiuron. Concentration-response regressions were established using 2nd-instar larvae of P. xylostella. All P. xylostella populations showed significant resistance ratio (RR) to at least one insecticide. The smallestCL50s values were estimated for abamectin, which varied from 0.01 to 0.74 mg/L and the highest CL50s were estimated for diafentiuron, which varied from 47.9 to 122.2 mg/L. The Bezerro County population presented the highest resistance ratios to indoxacarb (25.3-fold), abamectin (61.7-fold), and lufenuron (705.2-fold), compared to the reference population. TheBonito and Jupi Counties populations were 33.0- and 12.0-times more resistant to lufenuron and abamectina, respectively. These results demonstrate that intensive and indiscriminate use of insecticides in Pernambuco must be a concern, which suggests the immediate establishment of a resistance management program associated to integrated pest management in these areas.