1. Learnings from over a decade of increasing pesticide resistance in the redlegged earth mite, Halotydeus destructor (Tucker)
- Author
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Paul A Umina, Owain R. Edwards, Alan Lord, Ary A. Hoffmann, Aston L. Arthur, Moshe Jasper, Anthony van Rooyan, Svetlana Micic, and James L. Maino
- Subjects
0106 biological sciences ,Pesticide resistance ,Population ,Drug Resistance ,Distribution (economics) ,01 natural sciences ,Risk analysis (business) ,Pyrethrins ,Animals ,Destructor ,Pesticides ,education ,Mites ,education.field_of_study ,Resistance (ecology) ,Agroforestry ,business.industry ,Australia ,food and beverages ,General Medicine ,Crop rotation ,010602 entomology ,Geography ,Agriculture ,Insect Science ,business ,Agronomy and Crop Science ,010606 plant biology & botany - Abstract
BACKGROUND: The redlegged earth mite, Halotydeus destructor Tucker, is a destructive and economically important pest of winter grain crops and pastures in Australia. It is largely controlled by pesticides, but this mite has evolved resistance to pyrethroid and organophosphate chemicals. A national Resistance Management Strategy has been developed for pro-active management to delay further resistance evolution, though its success is reliant on a detailed understanding of the incidence, patterns of spread, current distribution and the nature of resistance in the field. Here, we report on a long-term resistance surveillance program undertaken between 2006 and 2019 informed by resistance risk forecasting. RESULTS: By mapping the Australian distribution of resistance through time, we show that resistance is present across three Australian states and covers more than 3000 km. This current range includes a recently identified population exhibiting organophosphate resistance representing the most easterly location of resistance in H. destructor. Using field history information, we identify associations for the first time between crop management practices employed by farmers and the presence of pyrethroid resistance. Management strategies that could minimise the risk of further resistance include limiting local spread of resistance through farm hygiene practices, crop rotations and reducing pesticide usage. CONCLUSION: This study highlights the challenges of resistance in H. destructor but also indicates how quantitative resistance risk analysis can be developed to target field surveillance and delay further resistance. The management strategies highlighted in this study can help maintain the effectiveness of control options but will depend on farmer engagement and adoption. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
- Published
- 2021
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