Characterization of nitenpyram resistance in Nilaparvata lugens (Stal)

Nitenpyram is very effective in controlling Nilaporvata lugens (brown planthopper, BPH), and its resistance has been reported in field populations; however, the resistance mechanism remains unclear. In the present study, cross-resistance and resistance mechanisms in nitenpyram-resistant BPH were investigated. A resistant strain (NR) with a.high resistance level (164.18-fold) to nitenpyram was evolved through successive selection for 42 generations from a laboratory susceptible strain (NS). The bioassay results showed that the NR exhibited cross-resistance to imidacloprid (37.46-fold), thiamethoxam (71.66-fold), clothianidin (14917-fold), dinotefuran (98.13-fold), sulfoxaflor (47.24-fold), cycloxaprid (9.33-fold), etofenprox (10.51-fold) and isoprocarb (9.97-fold) but not to triflumezopyrim, chlorpyrifos and buprofezin. The NR showed a 3.21-fold increase in cytochrome P450 monooxygenase (P450) activity compared to that in the NS, while resistance was also synergized (4.03-fold) with the inhibitor piperonyl butoxide (PBO), suggesting a role of P450. Furthermore, the mRNA expression levels of cytochrome P450 (CYP) genes by quantitative real-time PCR results indicated that twelve P450 genes were significantly overexpressed in the NR strain, especially CYP6ER1 (203.22-fold). RNA interference (RNAi) suppression of CYP6ER1 through injection of dsCYP6ER1 led to significant susceptibility in the NR strain. The current study expands our understanding of the nitenpyram resistance mechanism in N. lugens, provides an important reference for integrated pest management (IPM), and enriches the theoretical system of insect toxicology.