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Insecticide Resistance Action Group

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Current Steering Group:

Chair:

Dr Bill Parker, AHDB
Email: bill.parker@hdc.org.uk

Secretary:

Tom Pope, ADAS Boxworth
Email: tom.pope@adas.co.uk

Members:

Chris Bean	UAP Ltd
Rosemary Collier	Horticulture Research International
Ian Denholm	Rothamsted Research
Brian Fenton	Scottish Crop Research Institute
Steve Foster	Rothamsted Research
Stuart Hill	Makhteshim-Agan (UK) Ltd
Alan Horgan	Certis
Chris Longhurst	Dow AgroSciences
Lynne Matthews	BASF
Sue Mattock	HSE-CRD
Adrian Sisson	DuPont (UK) Ltd
Michael Tait	Syngenta
Richard Meredith	Bayer CropScience
Bill Parker	AHDB
Tom Pope	ADAS Boxworth
Vivian Powell	Horticultural Development Council
Keith Walters	fera

Latest News

Deltamethrin resistance by Thrips tabaci

A 2006 CRD funded study by Rothamsted Research confirmed widespread resistance to deltamethrin by Thrips tabaci taken from a range of onion and leek samples. The outcome of this was to inform and promote alternative control measures to pyrethroids for this pest. The research article reporting these findings is available under 'Further Information'.

Glasshouse whitefly (T. vaporariorum) resistance to imidacloprid is found in the UK

IRAG have published a brief summary on research conducted by Rothamsted Research on the development in the UK of strains of Glasshouse whitefly resistant to imidacloprid. This is available under 'Further Information'.

UK approved insecticides and Mode of Action (MOA) Classification Table

A new document has been provided with the current list (see further information below) of UK approved chemical insecticide active substances and their mode of action (MOA) classification (IRAC scheme). The document will be updated as new active substances are approved (or withdrawn). It is designed to be an aid to decision making when considering resistance management and identifying alternative chemical modes of action. Users should refer to individual product approvals for their approved uses. Chemical insecticides should be used as part of an integrated programme of control, which can also include biological insecticides and other control methods (e.g. cultural).

New IRAG Myzus persicae MACE Alert 2009

IRAG have published a new guidance document giving advice on managing MACE resistance in the peach potato aphid. This is available under 'Further Information'.

New Insecticide Resistance Action Group (IRAG) guidelines issued

Two IRAG guidelines have been issued. The first is an updated version of the potato guideline ‘Guidelines for preventing and managing insecticide resistance in aphids on potatoes’. The second is a new guideline for controlling aphids in brassica crops, “Guidelines for controlling aphids in brassica crops and managing insecticide resistance in the peach-potato aphid, Myzus persicae.”

Pollen Beetle Pyrethroid Resistance - Insecticide Resistance Action Group (IRAG) strategy for resistance management in the UK on oilseed rape. Update for 2010.

Pollen beetle resistance to pyrethroids has become widespread in various European countries, including Germany, leading to significant crop losses in oilseed rape. In response to the developing problem EPPO organised a workshop bringing together interested parties to share information and develop proposals on resistance management.

Subsequent to this, IRAG convened a special meeting in November 2007 to consider the findings of the workshop, as well as recent UK research, and determine a resistance management strategy for the UK for the 2008 season (see under ‘minutes of meetings’). In addition, the meeting considered the best way to disseminate this information to relevant parties, in conjunction with HGCA. The results of the meeting were to produce a resistance management strategy (see under ‘Further Information’), which has also been included in an HGCA factsheet (see under ‘Publications’). This information was also presented at a series of HGCA road shows.

The situation and the management strategy was reviewed again at another IRAG meeting in the autumn of 2008 and a slightly revised version agreed for the 2009 season (see under 'Further Information'). For the 2010 season the IRAG advice has again been amended slightly to take account of new available products, and has been incorporated into the HGCA factsheet (see under 'Publications').

Further information is also available from the IRAC pollen beetle working group who have published an insecticide resistance management strategy for oilseed rape in Europe.

Resistance Alert: insecticide-resistant peach-potato aphids on potatoes

So far in 2007, peach-potato aphids (Myzus persicae) have been caught in unprecedented numbers in suction traps and yellow water traps in England. IRAG have published advice on insecticide use for 2007.

Resistance Matrix

IRAG have developed a resistance matrix (updated Jan 2008) which is a working document updated as appropriate. It is designed as a tool for growers and researchers to provide both information and establish key knowledge gaps for future research projects. It will also be used to identify areas and topics where further IRAG guidance would be useful.

The matrix lists principal UK insect pests, which can be cross-referenced to product groups, resistance mechanisms, and use situations (outdoor, protected, stored products, livestock, public health). For each pest/situation combination it is then highlighted where there are established, suspected or potential resistance problems.

The resistance matrix has been based on a review of current published information and comments or suggestions from interested parties would be very much welcome. The matrix can be found on the IRAG home page under ‘Publications’. (Please note the columns can be expanded/contracted using the ‘+’ and ‘-‘ buttons at the top of the spreadsheet).

All comments should be e-mailed to tom.pope@adas.co.uk.

Aims and Objectives

To provide information on resistance avoidance and management strategies for use by UK farmers and growers, advisers and regulatory authorities by:-

Establishing a forum for the exchange and interpretation of information on insecticide resistance
Producing guidelines and agreed statements to the media
Identifying knowledge gaps and suggesting research needs to appropriate funding agencies
Establishing links to exchange information and ideas with similar groups in other countries and with The Insecticide Resistance Action Committee (IRAC).