Biological Journal of the Linnean Society (2016) 119, 348-358

Rokhsareh Malekpour, Michelle A. Rafter, Gregory J. Daglish and Gimme H. Walter (2016)
Influence of phosphine resistance genes on flight propensity and resource location in Tribolium castaneum (Herbst) (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae): the landscape for selection
Biological Journal of the Linnean Society 119 (2), 348-358
Abstract: Phosphine resistance in Tribolium castaneum Herbst (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) has evolved through changes to enzymes involved in basic metabolic pathways. These changes impose metabolic stress and could affect energy-demanding behaviours. We therefore tested whether phosphine resistance alleles impact the movement of these insects in their quest for new resources. We measured walking and flight parameters of four T. castaneum genotypes: (1) a field-derived population, (2) a laboratory cultured, phosphine-susceptible reference strain, (3) a laboratory cultured, phosphine-resistant reference strain, and (4) a resistant introgressed strain that is almost identical genetically to the susceptible population. The temporal pattern of flight was identical across all populations, but resistant beetles took flight significantly less, walked more slowly, and located resources less successfully than did susceptible beetles. Also, the field-derived beetles (proved not to be carrying resistance genes) walked significantly faster and more directly towards food resources, and had a higher propensity for flight when compared to the susceptible laboratory beetles. These negative effects suggest survival of beetles with the resistance alleles will be compromised should they leave phosphine application sites. The field for selection therefore extends beyond the site at which phosphine fumigant imposed its effect, and other mutations are also likely to be affected in this way.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)
Link to article at publishers website
Database assignments for author(s): Michelle A. Rafter, Gimme H. Walter

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
pesticide resistance of pest
population dynamics/ epidemiology

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Tribolium castaneum