LAUSR

BACKGROUND Global and intensive use of insecticides has led to the emergence and rapid evolution of resistance in the major pest Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius). In La Réunion, an island of the South West Indian Ocean, three whitefly species coexist, two of which are predominant, the indigenous Indian Ocean (IO) and the invasive Middle East Asia Minor 1 (MEAM1) species. To assess the resistance level of both of these species to acetamiprid and pymetrozine, whitefly populations were sampled at 15 collection sites, located all over the island in agroecosystems and natural areas, and tested using leaf-dip bioassays. We also investigated the potential cost of resistance to acetamiprid by measuring 6 fitness-related traits for MEAM1 populations that displayed different resistance levels. RESULTS IO was mainly found in natural areas and was susceptible to both acetamiprid and pymetrozine. MEAM1 populations displayed evidence of high resistance to pymetrozine, whereas resistance to acetamiprid was more variable. No fitness related costs were associated to this resistance in MEAM1 populations. CONCLUSION This is the first assessment of the susceptibility to insecticides for B. tabaci IO species. For the time being, no resistance to the tested insecticides has evolved in this species despite: i) its presence in agroecosystems and their surroundings, and ii) its close proximity to, and possible hybridisation with, the MEAM1 species. In contrast, with continuous selection pressure of insecticide treatments and in the absence of fitness cost to resistance, the invasive exotic species MEAM1 will continue to threaten agriculture in La Réunion. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.