Pyrethroids Resistance Mechanism in Egyptian Cotton Leafworm Spodoptera littoralis (Boisd.)

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Plant Protection Department, Desert Research Center, Mataria, Cairo, Egypt

2 Plant Protection Research Institute, Agricultural Research Center, Doki, Giza, Egypt

3 Environment and Bio-Agriculture Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Al Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt

Abstract

Synthetic pyrethroids have been developed with the aim to improve the specificity and activity of the natural insecticide pyrethrum. The pyrethroids are a functional toxin, causing adverse effects in a secondary way, as a consequence of neuronal hyper excitability. This is demonstrated by the lack of anatomo-pathologic injuries in the central nervous systems, even after repetitive acute intoxications (Parker et al., 1985). Development of resistance to pyrethroids (Lambda cyhalothrinon) in Spodoptera littoralis laboratory strain by selection pressure was studied under laboratory condition. This led to significant changes in biological (larval duration, pupal duration, adult longevity, fecundity and fertility) and biochemical aspects (total carbohydrates, total protein and total lipid contents) of treated larvae. It also caused significant changes in the main enzymes activities of the treated larvae.

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