Synergism by Propynyl Aryl Ethers in Permethrin-Resistant Tobacco Budworm Larvae,Heliothis virescens

Synergists were used to diagnose possible mechanisms of permethrin resistance in permethrin-selected strains of the tobacco budworm, Heliothis virescens (F.). In addition to permethrin, these strains of the tobacco budworm were resistant to α-cyano-pyrethroid insecticides, organophosphorus insecticides and DDT. The monooxygenase-inhibiting prop-2-ynyl aryl ethers were the only effective synergists of permethrin among 16 candidates tested. The most effective synergist was 1,2,4-trichloro-3-(2-propynyloxy)benzene. Piperonyl butoxide, a common monooxygenase-inhibiting synergist in other species and tobacco budworm strains, was inactive. These results suggested the presence and contribution of an unusual monooxygenase in the enzymatic detoxication of permethrin. DDT cross-resistance, which was not synergized, and broad pyrethroid cross-resistance supported previous evidence for target site insensitivity as a second pyrethroid-resistance mechanism in these strains. The actions of S,S,S-tributyl phosphorotrithioate (TBPT) and triphenyl phosphate (TPP) suggested that hydrolytic detoxication, important in methyl parathion-resistance tobacco budworm strains, had little or no role in conferring pyrethroid resistance in these strains.