Ambulatory dispersal of the susceptible and propargite-resistant strains of Tetranychus urticae and its influence on pesticide resistance dynamics

The distribution of resistant individuals is determined by the amount of movement between populations. The differential rate of dispersal of a susceptible and a pesticide-resistant strain could influence the resistance dynamics under field conditions. The dispersal rate and dispersal efficiency of the susceptible and propargite-resistant strains of Tetranychus urticae were measured in separate-release and mixed-release experiments. The diffusion coefficient (D) of both strains did not differ significantly (P>0.344) and an estimate of the asymptotic rate of advance (2√rD) (for one generation) was estimated at 0.1047 and 0.0930cm per degree day for the susceptible and propargite-resistant strains, respectively. The dispersal efficiency of the two strains differed significantly (P<0.005) as more susceptible mites than propargite-resistant mites crossed into specified zones more quickly after 290 and 366 degree days. Significantly (P<0.05) higher number of susceptible adults, immatures and eggs were found in the outer most zone of an arena as compared to that of the propargite-resistant mites. The bioassay of the two strains showed a similar pattern of the spread of the adult females across the specified zones in the mixed-release experiment. The relatively lower dispersive tendency of the propargite-resistant T. urticae and the smaller proportion of adult females exhibiting that behaviour increase the chances of developing resistant ‘hotspots’ in field specially after an acaricide application.