PCR detection of pirimicarb resistance in Australian field isolates of Aphis gossypii Glover (Aphididae: Hemiptera)

Aphis gossypii Glover (cotton aphid) is a major secondary pest of Australian cotton that readily develops resistance to the carbamate insecticide pirimicarb (Pirimor®) and to organophosphates generally. To test the pirimicarb resistance status of Australian strains of A. gossypii, a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay followed by restriction enzyme assay (REA) was designed to identify the AceI polymorphism S431F known to be responsible for resistance. The method was tested against reference and 33 field strains collected over two consecutive seasons. Both methods confirmed pirimicarb resistance in two field strains, one from each cotton season, giving credence to the molecular technique described. The PCR assay proved specific for the AceI gene. This PCR REA assay has the potential to replace bioassay for the routine pirimicarb resistance monitoring in A. gossypii. With the molecular assay providing results in 48 h, compared with 4–8 weeks for bioassay, such an assay could be used before insecticide control.