Insecticide resistance of adults and nymphs of Asian citrus psyllid populations from Apatzingán Valley, Mexico

BACKGROUND Control of the Asian citrus psyllid Diaphorina citri Kuwayama, the most important pest of citrus worldwide, is based on the use of insecticides, though unsatisfactory results have recently been reported. In this study, insecticide resistance of D. citri to three insecticides (bifenthrin, malathion, and chlorpyrifos) was examined. RESULTS Three populations (designated Dci‐CParácuaro, Dci‐El Junco, and Dci‐Antúnez) of both adults and fourth‐instar D. citri individuals were collected in 2014 at two different times and on one occasion, respectively, from three locations (Crucero de Parácuaro, El Junco, and Antúnez). These locations represent the major commercial Mexican lemon production areas in the Apatzingán Valley in the state of Michoacán, Mexico. The three populations of D. citri adults and fourth‐instar nymphs at the different collection times showed low levels of resistance (≤7‐fold) to bifenthrin, but were very resistant to malathion (≤345‐ and ≤432‐fold for adults and fourth instars, respectively) and chlorpyrifos (≤2435‐ and ≤1424‐fold for adults and fourth instars, respectively). CONCLUSION Resistance levels to the tested insecticides were highly variable but homogeneous among seasons and localities. Resistance management programmes that include crop sanitation, use of biological and cultural control practices, and rotation of insecticide classes should be established, particularly in areas where D. citri has developed resistance to malathion and chlorpyrifos. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry There is a lack of information on Diaphorina citri Kuwayama resistance to insecticides in Mexico. Resistance to bifenthrin, malathion, and chlorpyrifos was studied in different populations of adults and nymphs.