Effect of rotaional use of insecticides on pyrethroids resistance in Helicoverpa armigera (Lep.: Noctuidae)

To investigate fluctuation in susceptibility to insecticides in the field, natural populations of Helicoverpa arinigera were collected from the same field in the region of Multan, Pakistan in 2002 and 2003. The populations were examined against pyrethroids (viz. cypermethrin, esfenvalerate and fenpropathrin) and new insecticides (viz. spinosad, abamectin and indoxacarb). In 2002, the resistance ratio (RR) of cypermethrin and esfenvalerate was significantly higher than fenpropahrin compared with susceptible population. The susceptibility to cypermethrin, esfenvalerate and fenpropathrin increased significantly in 2003; however, the RR for cypermethrin was about half the RR (38) of esfenvalerate (101) and fenpropathrin (89). The toxicity of spinosad, abarnectin and indoxacarb was identical in both years. In the field experiments, abarnectin was more effective than other compounds tested whereas fenpropathrin, cypermethrin and esfenvalerate had similar toxicity. These results might have important implications in resistance management and suggest that the rotational use of spinosad, abarmectin and indoxacarb could help to avoid the development of multiple resistant in H. armigera.