In order to avoid or manage resistance in arthropod pests, it is imperative to understand resistance mechanisms. While we are beginning to elucidate the underlying genetic changes in some well studied insects, crucial information is still lacking for large groups of pests. One of these groups are plant feeding mites, of which spider mites (Tetranychus sp, Panonychussp) are economically the most relevant. Spider mites develop resistance extremely fast and represent a major challenge for the sustainable control in crops that will only increase as a result of climate change. The huge phylogenetic distance between plant feeding mites such as Tetranychus urticae and insects is reflected in the specific chemistry and efficacy of plant protection compounds. For example, there are quite a number of specific acaricides that have little effect on insects, and in turn some of the most frequently used insecticides have no efficacy on mites. We will show here how a draft genome sequence and the tools derived therefrom have provided important clues to understand the specificity of acaricide toxicology and reveal some of the idiosyncrasies of acaricide resistance development.

Acaricide toxicology and resistance development: New insights from an emerging model chelicerate

248th National Meeting (2014)

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