Gunning_1997_Pestic.Biochem.Physiol_58_155

A field population of Helicoverpa punctigera, resistant to fenvalerate was detected for first time in Australia on cotton in the Macquarie Valley, New South Wales in March 1994. DEF and profenofos were both partially effective as fenvalerate synergists, but piperonyl butoxide was ineffective. Electrophoretic studies revealed that resistantH. punctigerahad increased esterase activity toward 1-naphthyl acetate, compared to a susceptible strain.In vitrometabolism and enzyme binding studies provided evidence of esterase-mediated fenvalerate metabolism. The origin of the resistant strain is discussed, as are the implications for insecticide resistance management.