Media type: E-Article Title: Variation in response to neonicotinoid insecticides in peach‐potato aphids, Myzus persicae (Hemiptera: Aphididae) Contributor: Foster, Stephen P; Denholm, Ian; Thompson, Robin imprint: Wiley, 2003 Published in: Pest Management Science Language: English DOI: 10.1002/ps.570 ISSN: 1526-498X; 1526-4998 Keywords: Insect Science ; Agronomy and Crop Science ; General Medicine Origination: Footnote: Description: <jats:title>Abstract</jats:title><jats:p>Laboratory bioassays applying the neonicotinoid insecticides imidacloprid, acetamiprid and nitenpyram against clones of the peach‐potato aphid <jats:italic>Myzus persicae</jats:italic> (Sulzer) demonstrated that these compounds effectively circumvent the known carboxylesterase, modified acetylcholinesterase (MACE) and knock‐down (kdr) insecticide resistance mechanisms in this species. However, some clones showed cross‐tolerance (up to 18‐fold) of these compounds relative to susceptible standards. A survey assessing the frequency of neonicotinoid tolerance in <jats:italic>M persicae</jats:italic> in the UK, based on samples collected from the field and glasshouses between 1997 and 2000, showed that such tolerance is still rare. Experiments on neonicotinoid‐susceptible and ‐tolerant populations of <jats:italic>M persicae</jats:italic> under simulated field conditions in the laboratory showed that, although the latter were well controlled by imidacloprid applied at recommended application rates, they were more likely to survive and reproduce when this compound was applied at lower concentrations. Such conditions are probably periodically present in imidacloprid‐treated field and glasshouse crops. Selection favouring tolerant forms of <jats:italic>M persicae</jats:italic> could lead to increases in their frequency and the evolution of more potent resistance to neonicotinoids.</jats:p><jats:p>© 2003 Society of Chemical Industry</jats:p>