Journal of Economic Entomology (1997) 90, 1170-1180

B.F. McCutchen, K. Hoover, H.K. Preisler, M.D. Betana, R. Herrmann, J.L. Robertson and B.D. Hammock (1997)
Interactions of recombinant and wild-type baculoviruses with classical insecticides and pyrethroid-resistant tobacco budworm (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)
Journal of Economic Entomology 90 (5), 1170-1180
Abstract: In tests with neonate Heliothis virescens (F.), we characterized interactions of all combinations of a recombinant Autographa californica (Speyer) nuclear polyhedrosis virus (AcAaIT) that expresses an insect-selective neurotoxin (AaIT) and wild-type AcNPV when combined with low concentrations of several conventional insecticides. All combinations of the recombinant virus AcAaIT and insecticides showed a positive interaction (decrease in the median lethal time (LT₅₀) compared with the LT₅₀ for either component alone). A type II pyrethroid (cypermethrin, which modifies currents of sodium channels) and a carbamate (methomyl, an inhibitor of acetylcholinesterase) were synergistic in combination with AcAaIT. Other insecticides also showed a positive interaction when tested in combination with the recombinant virus, but joint activity was slightly antagonistic (i.e., less than predicted activity when combined) with wild-type AcNPV. We also characterized the effectiveness of AcAaIT against pyrethroid-resistant H. virescens larvae. Our results show that a resistant strain of H. virescens is more sensitive to the recombinant virus compared with a susceptible strain. Results of these studies should be useful in planning of future field trials to increase the effectiveness of nuclear polyhedrosis viruses and to manage resistance to pyrethroids and other insecticides.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)
Database assignments for author(s): Kelli Hoover

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
pesticide resistance of pest
biocontrol - natural enemies
Research topic(s) for beneficials or antagonists:
resistance to pesticides
genetical engin./transgenic plants

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Heliothis virescens
Alphabaculovirus aucalifonicae (entomopathogen)	Heliothis virescens