Downregulation of carboxylesterase contributes to cyflumetofen resistance in Tetranychus cinnabarinus (Boisduval)

BACKGROUND Increased expression or point mutations of carboxyl/cholinesterases (CCEs) have been involved in many cases of insecticide and acaricide resistance. However, it has been only rarely documented that downregulation of CCE genes is associated with resistance, although many insecticides and acaricides need hydrolytic activation in vivo. Previously, expression analysis of a laboratory‐selected cyflumetofen‐resistant strain of Tetranychus cinnabarinus indicated that resistance was associated with increased expression of a CCE gene of TcCCE04, but also the downregulation of two CCE genes, TcCCE12 and TcCCE23. RESULTS Synergism experiments revealed the importance of ester hydrolysis in cyflumetofen toxicity, because treatment with S,S,S‐tributylphosphorotrithioate (DEF) caused strong inhibition of cyflumetofen hydrolysis, in both the susceptible and resistant strains. Moreover, silencing expression of TcCCE12 and TcCCE23 via RNAi further decreased the susceptibility of mites to cyflumetofen significantly, suggesting that downregulated CCE genes could be involved in cyflumetofen resistance. In addition, it was shown that recombinant TcCCE12 protein could hydrolyze cyflumetofen effectively. CONCLUSION Decreased esterase activity via downregulation of specific CCE genes most likely contributes to cyflumetofen resistance by decreased activation of cyflumetofen to its active metabolite. Mixtures of cyflumetofen and esterase‐inhibition acaricides (e.g. organophosphates or carbamates) should be avoided in field applications. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry Cyflumetofen‐resistance is mediated by downregulated TcCCE genes, which reduce detoxification enzymes, decreasing the activation of prototype cyflumetofen in the evolution of resistant mites.