Sublethal concentrations of pymetrozine reduce Sogatella furcifera transmission of Southern rice black‐streaked dwarf virus

Abstract

AbstractBACKGROUNDThe transmission of plant viruses is closely associated with the specific probing behaviors of the vectors. Pymetrozine is a pyridine azomethine insecticide that interferes with nervous regulation of feeding behavior of piercing‐sucking insects. This study aimed to evaluate the potential of sublethal concentrations of pymetrozine in reducing the transmission of Southern rice black‐streaked dwarf virus (SRBSDV) by the planthopper Sogatella furcifera.RESULTSLaboratory assays showed that both acquisition and inoculation rates of SRBSDV decreased significantly in the planthoppers feeding on plants treated with lethal concentrations 10% and 50% (LC10 and LC50) pymetrozine compared with the insects feeding on the control plants, for which significant effects of pymetrozine concentration and time post‐treatment were detected. Honeydew excretion of the planthoppers showed significant reduction with increasing concentration of the insecticide but no significant association with time post‐treatment. Electrical penetration graph recordings revealed that total durations of each waveform in both acquisition and inoculation were significantly affected by pymetrozine treatment, with total durations of non‐probing (NP), penetration initiation (N1), and extracellular activity (N3) elongated whereas those of salivation (N2) and phloem‐related activities (N4‐a and N4‐b) shortened. Additionally, both acquisition and inoculation rates were significantly lower at 168 h than at 6 h post‐treatment.CONCLUSIONThe results indicate that sublethal concentrations of pymetrozine reduce SRBSDV transmission, which is associated with reduction in feeding and alteration in probing behaviors characterized by the prolonged non‐probing, penetration initiation and extracellular activity and shortened salivation and phloem‐related activities. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.