Multifactorial resistance to transpermethrin in field‐collected strains of the tobacco budworm <i>Heliothis virescens</i> F.

Abstract

Abstract The penetration, degradation and excretion of [ 3 H]transpermethrin were examined in susceptible and field‐collected pyrethroid‐resistant strains of the tobacco budworm Heliothis virescens . No consistent differences in labelled materials excreted or recovered in cuticle rinses were found between the resistant (R) and susceptible (S) larvae. Considerably lower levels of the parent compound were present internally in R compared with S larvae after 24h ( P &lt;0.01), clearly identifying a metabolic resistance mechanism in Meloland and Westmorland larvae. Moderate levels of absorbed permethrin accompanied by an absence of poisoning symptoms were observed in certain individuals of both R strains, suggesting a second resistance mechanism. Neurobioassays of R larvae showed a consistently lower sensitivity of the neuromuscular system to pyrethroids when compared with the S larvae, thus confirming the indication from metabolic studies of the additional (site‐insensitive) mechanism. Toxicity values suggest a cross‐resistance to other pyrethroids.