A1 Journal article (refereed)
Fungicides modify pest insect fitness depending on their genotype and population (2023)

Margus, A., Saifullah, S., Kankare, M., & Lindström, L. (2023). Fungicides modify pest insect fitness depending on their genotype and population. Scientific Reports, 13, Article 17879. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-44838-5

JYU authors or editors

Publication details

All authors or editors: Margus, Aigi; Saifullah, Shahed; Kankare, Maaria; Lindström, Leena

Journal or series: Scientific Reports

eISSN: 2045-2322

Publication year: 2023

Publication date: 19/10/2023

Volume: 13

Article number: 17879

Publisher: Springer

Publication country: United Kingdom

Publication language: English

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-44838-5

Publication open access: Openly available

Publication channel open access: Open Access channel

Publication is parallel published (JYX): https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/91237

Abstract

Fungicides are the most sold pesticide group, with an 8% increase in sales in Europe within the last decade. While adverse short-term fungicide effects on non-target insect species have been reported, the long-term effects and their impact on fitness are unclear. As the effects may depend on both the fungicide and the genetic background of the species, we investigated the effects of the commonly used fungicide, fluazinam, on the Colorado potato beetle's life history traits, and whether the effects were dependent on a previously characterized insecticide resistance mutation (S291G in acetylcholinesterase-2 gene) in different populations. Our findings show that fungicide exposure can have both negative and positive, long-lasting effects on beetles, depending on the parental insecticide resistance status and population. In the Belchow population, individuals carrying resistance mutation had higher survival, but they produced offspring with lower egg-hatching rates. While, in the Vermont population, fungicide exposure increased the body mass and offspring quality in the beetles carrying resistance mutation but did not affect the beetles’ survival. Our results suggest that commonly used fungicides can have both negative and positive effects on pest insects’ life-history, however, their impact may differ depending on the population and parental genetic background.

Keywords: agroecology; ecology; evolutionary ecology; invasive species; molecular biology; pesticides; fungicides; effects (results); resistance (medicine); beetles; Colorado potato beetle

Free keywords: agroecology; ecology; evolution; evolutionary ecology; experimental evolution; invasive species; molecular biology

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Ministry reporting: Yes

VIRTA submission year: 2023

JUFO rating: 1