Fitness costs associated with chlorantraniliprole resistance in Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) strains with different genetic backgrounds

BACKGROUND Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith) is a difficult pest to manage mainly because of its resistance to insecticides and Bt proteins. We evaluated fitness costs of S. frugiperda resistant strains to diamide insecticides with different genetic backgrounds aiming to highlight the importance of using isogenic strains. We established a near-isogenic strain of S. frugiperda resistant to diamides (Iso-RR), using a chlorantraniliprole resistant strain (RR) selected from a field-collected population and a susceptible reference strain (SS). Fitness costs were assayed using strains with close-related genetic backgrounds (Iso-RR and SS) and strains with distant-related genetic backgrounds (RR and SS). RESULTS No fitness cost associated with chlorantraniliprole resistance in S. frugiperda was observed using the Iso-RR strain, based on life history traits. The only parameter that differs between Iso-RR and SS strains was the mean length of a generation (T), whereas the Iso-RR strain presented T = 35.8 and SS strain showed T = 34.6. On the other hand, a significant fitness cost was detected using the RR strain. All population growth parameters differ between RR and SS strains. Based on the intrinsic rate of population increase (r(m)) parameter, the relative fitness estimated was 1.02 for the Iso-RR strain and 0.64 for the RR strain. CONCLUSION The genetic background of the resistant strains alters fitness cost outcomes. The RR strain showed fitness costs associated with resistance, but the Iso-RR did not. Our work supports the decision-making process of resistance management programs and adds to the growing body of research that enlightens the importance of strain genetics in fitness cost experiments.

Automated summary

The study revealed that there was no fitness cost associated with chlorantraniliprole resistance in the Spodoptera frugiperda strain with the near-isogenic background. On the other hand, a significant fitness cost was detected in the strain with a different genetic background. This suggests that the genetic background of resistant strains plays a crucial role in determining fitness costs.