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BACKGROUND: Spodoptera frugiperda is a destructive pest that often imposes difficult management due to its high polyphagy and rapid insecticide resistance evolution. Knowledge of species diversification, population structure, and host preference can aid efforts to manage pest populations. Here, we investigated the patterns of hybridization, genetic structure, and gene flow in S. frugiperda populations, discussing how we can apply this knowledge to insect resistance management programs in South America. RESULTS:The corn-strain CS-h2 of S. frugiperda was the most frequent haplotype in all sampled populations. Spodoptera frugiperda populations are experiencing demographic expansion, and the ecoregions partially explain the genetic structure and not strains. We did not find a correlation between gene flow and susceptibility levels to flubendiamide and lufenuron insecticides, but populations with high LC 50 sent a great number of migrants to all other locations, maintaining resistance alleles in the geographic range. CONCLUSION: High levels of population admixture, including between corn-and rice-strains, were found in sampled populations. We showed that S. frugiperda immigrants will not necessarily cause an increase in LC 50 upon arrival in a new location but will assure the constant presence of resistance alleles in the area. Increases in LC 50 largely depend on the local pesticide management adopted in the areas. Our results indicate that pesticide resistance management must be adopted on a local or small regional scale.

Population genetic studies are essential to the better application of pest management strategies, including the monitoring of the evolution of resistance to insecticides and genetically modified plants. Bacillus thuringiensis Berliner (Bt) crops have been instrumental in controlling tobacco budworm, Heliothis virescens (F.) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), a pest that has developed resistance to many common insecticides once used for its management. In our study, microsatellite markers were applied to investigate the genetic structure and patterns of gene flow among Brazilian populations of H. virescens from cotton, Gossypium hirsutum L., and soybean, Glycine max (L.) Merr., fields, aiming to propose means to improve its management in the field. In total, 127 alleles were found across nine microsatellites loci for 205 individuals from 12 localities. Low levels of gene flow and moderate to great genetic structure were found for these populations. Host plant association, crop growing season, and geographic origin were not responsible for the genetic structuring among Brazilian populations of H. virescens. Other factors, such as demographic history and seasonal variability of intrapopulation genetic variation, were suggested to be molding the current pattern of genetic variability distribution.

-Acaricides that inhibit cellular respiration play an important role in the control of Brevipalpus phoenicis (Geijskes) in citrus groves in Brazil. Studies were conducted to evaluate: (a) the variability in the susceptibility among B. phoenicis populations collected from citrus groves to cyhexatin, azocyclotin, propargite and sulphur; (b) cross-resistance relationships between propargite and azocyclotin, cyhexatin, dinocap, pyridaben and sulphur; and (c) the fitness cost associated with propargite resistance in B. phoenicis under laboratory conditions. A residual-type contact bioassay was used to characterize the susceptibility. The susceptibility was estimated with diagnostic concentrations based LC 95 of each acaricide. The cross-resistance was evaluated by characterizing the concentration-mortality responses of susceptible (S) and propargiteresistant (Propargite-R) strains. The fitness cost was evaluated by measuring the biological parameters of S and Propargite-R strains on citrus fruits at 25 ± 1 o C and fotophase of 14h. Significant differences in the susceptibility of B. phoenicis were detected at diagnostic concentration of cyhexatin (survivorship from 16.3% to 80.5%), azocyclotin (from 3.0% to 15.0%), propargite (from 1.0% a 71.6%) and sulphur (from 9.0% to 82.6%). A low intensity of cross-resistance was detected between propargite and the acaricides azocyclotin (1.8-fold), cyhexatin (4.6-fold), dinocap (3.5-fold) and pyridaben (3.5-fold). On the other hand, the intensity of cross-resistance to sulphur (> 111-fold) was very high. There was no fitness cost associated with B. phoenicis resistance to propargite, based on biological parameters evaluated. Therefore, the use of these acaricides should also be done very carefully in resistance management of B. phoenicis to acaricides. KEY WORDS: Flat mite, propargite, cyhexatin, resistance management RESUMO -Acaricidas inibidores da respiração celular são importantes para o controle de Brevipalpus phoenicis (Geijskes) na cultura dos citros no Brasil. Foram conduzidos estudos para avaliar: (a) a variabilidade na suscetibilidade de populações de B. phoenicis coletadas em pomares de citros para cihexatim, azociclotim, propargite e enxofre; (b) relações de resistência cruzada entre propargite e os acaricidas azociclotim, cihexatim, dinocape, piridabem e enxofre; e (c) o custo adaptativo associado à resistência de B. phoenicis a propargite em condições de laboratório. O método de bioensaio adotado foi o contato residual. A suscetibilidade foi estimada com concentrações diagnósticas baseadas na CL 95 de cada acaricida. A resistência cruzada foi avaliada pela caracterização da curva de concentração-mortalidade das linhagens suscetível (S) e resistente a propargite (Propargite-R). O custo adaptativo foi avaliado mediante comparação de parâmetros biológicos das linhagens S e Propargite-R em frutos de laranja a 25 ± 1 o C e fotofase de 14h. Diferenças significativas na sobrevivência de B. phoenicis foram verificadas aos acaricidas cihexatim (de 16,3% a 80,5%), ...

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, pelo agradável convívio, companheirismo e auxílios prestados. A equipe do Laboratório de Interação de insetos, ESALQ/USP, em especial aos colegas Aline Guidolin e Guilherme Rossi, pela disposição e paciência para me ensinar.

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