Susceptibility of populations of Banks grass mites (Acari: Tetranychidae) suspected of developing bifenthrin resistance from three maize fields.

Banks grass mite, Oligonychus pratensis (Banks), from three Texas maize fields were assayed for bifenthrin resistance following poor field control in 1995. Laboratory bioassays showed the field mites to be 3- to 23-fold more tolerant to bifenthrin than the susceptible laboratory culture. Comparison of LC50 values to assays with bifenthrin from 1985 to 1993 indicated no statistically significant changes in mite resistance. However, high LC90 values in 1995 suggest possible resistance development. The percentages of resistant mites from the three fields in 1995 were calculated to be 4.7%, 17.9%, and 30.9%. The Banks grass mite population exhibiting the highest level of tolerance to bifenthrin was further assayed to evaluate tolerance levels to other insecticides alone and in combination with synergists and insecticides. A high level of tolerance existed in the 1995 'bifenthrin-selected' Banks grass mite strain to bifenthrin, dimeothate, and amitraz. The combination of bifenthrin or dimethoate with a synergist indicated changes in the ability of the more resistant 1995 mites to detoxify insecticides. The activity of a dimethoate + bifenthrin mixture and a three way mixture of dimethoate, bifenthrin, and piperonyl butoxide caused 5- and 38-fold increase in toxicity against the more resistant Banks grass mite.