Survey of target site mutations linked with insecticide resistance in Italian populations of Aphis gossypii

Abstract BACKGROUND Aphis gossypii is a worldwide agricultural pest that causes high levels of economic losses by feeding and transmitting virus diseases. It is usually controlled by chemical insecticides, but this could lead to the selection of resistant populations. Several single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) have been identified associated with insecticide resistance. Monitoring activities to detect the presence of such mutations in field populations can have an important role in insect pest management but, currently, no information on Italian strains is available. RESULTS The presence of target site mutations conferring resistance to different insecticides was analysed in Italian field collected populations of A. gossypii with an allele specific approach (QSGG, Qualitative Sybr‐Green Genotyping). Primers were designed to detect mutations in genes coding acetylcholinesterase (S431F), nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (R81T) and voltage‐gated sodium channel (M918L and L1014F). S431F was widespread but with high variability across populations. R81T was detected for the first time in Italy but only in two populations. The L1014F mutation ( kdr ) was not found, while in the samples showing the M918L two different nucleotidic substitutions were detected. Mutant allele frequencies were, respectively, 0.70 (S431), 0.31 (M918) and 0.02 (R81). Further analysis on the voltage‐gated sodium channel gene showed the presence of eight haplotypes and one non‐synonymous mutation in the gene coding region. CONCLUSION Multiple target‐site mutations were detected within Italian populations. The combinations of genotypes observed in certain locations could affect negatively the control of this pest. Preliminary insights on the genetic structure in the Italian populations of A. gossypii were acquired. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.