Acaricide resistance in Panonychus citri and P. ulmi (Acari: Tetranychidae): Molecular mechanisms and management implications

Abstract

The European red mite, Panonychus ulmi (Koch), and the citrus red mite, P. citri (McGregor) (Acari: Tetranychidae), are destructive mite pests in pome/stone fruit orchards and citrus groves, respectively, the management of these two spider mites species has relied largely on the use of synthetic acaricides. However, frequent, long-term use of acaricides has caused rapid development of resistance in P. ulmi and P. citri populations worldwide. Levels of resistance in P. ulmi and P. citri are exceeded only by that in the two-spotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae Koch. Recent research on T. urticae has provided new insights into the molecular mechanisms of acaricide resistance. The molecular basis of resistance in P. ulmi and P. citri populations has been less thoroughly studied. In this brief review, the current understanding of the molecular mechanisms of toxicokinetic and toxicodynamic resistance of P. ulmi and P. citri to acaricides, as well as implications of the findings for the resistance management, are discussed.

A mutation in chitin synthase I associated with etoxazole resistance in the citrus red mite Panonychus citri (Acari: Tetranychidae) and its uneven geographical distribution in Japan

“…The factors that weaken the above‐mentioned correlation are the remaining issues. Only a few amino acid substitutions in nervous and respiration target sites have been linked with toxicodynamic in P. citri ; 26 I1017F may be the first substitution relevant to acaricide resistance in growth targets in this mite.…”

“…24 This species, along with T. urticae and the European red mite Panonychus ulmi Koch, has acquired resistance to most pesticides. 25,26 Unlike T. urticae, high-level etoxazole resistance has not been reported in P. citri. Low or moderate degradation of acaricidal activity against P. citri was reported occasionally in Japan during the early 2000s 27 and again recently in Turkey.…”

“…It is distributed worldwide and attacks deciduous fruit trees and ornamental trees as well as citrus trees 24 . This species, along with T. urticae and the European red mite Panonychus ulmi Koch, has acquired resistance to most pesticides 25,26 . Unlike T. urticae , high‐level etoxazole resistance has not been reported in P. citri .…”

Using targeted sequencing and TaqMan approaches to detect acaricide (bifenthrin, bifenazate, and etoxazole) resistance associated SNPs in Tetranychus urticae collected from peppermint fields and hop yards

“…Acaricide resistance is not unique to T . urticae , and other mite species, including Dermanyssus gallinae , Panonychus citri , Panonychus ulmi , have demonstrated resistance to acaricides through biochemical and molecular mechanisms of acaricide detoxification [ 14 , 15 ]. One of the most important mechanisms for acaricide resistance development in T .…”

“…Acaricide resistance can develop through multiple mechanisms, including enhanced metabolic breakdown of acaricides, target site insensitivity, and behavioral resistance [12,13]. Acaricide resistance is not unique to T. urticae, and other mite species, including Dermanyssus gallinae, Panonychus citri, Panonychus ulmi, have demonstrated resistance to acaricides through biochemical and molecular mechanisms of acaricide detoxification [14,15]. One of the most important mechanisms for acaricide resistance development in T. urticae is target site insensitivity, where single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) can result in an alteration of an amino acid sequence and the translated protein which, in-turn, binds the insecticide more weakly or not at all [13].…”