Assessment of Phosphine Resistance in Major Stored-Product Insects in Greece Using Two Diagnostic Protocols

Post-harvest losses due to insect infestation and spoilage by bacteria and molds pose significant challenges to global cereal production. This study investigates the prevalence of resistance to phosphine, a commonly used grain protection agent, in stored-grain insects. The research, conducted in var...

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Main Authors: Paraskevi Agrafioti, Efstathios Kaloudis, Dimitrios Kateris, Christos G. Athanassiou
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2024-10-01
Series:Insects
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4450/15/10/802
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author Paraskevi Agrafioti
Efstathios Kaloudis
Dimitrios Kateris
Christos G. Athanassiou
author_facet Paraskevi Agrafioti
Efstathios Kaloudis
Dimitrios Kateris
Christos G. Athanassiou
author_sort Paraskevi Agrafioti
collection DOAJ
description Post-harvest losses due to insect infestation and spoilage by bacteria and molds pose significant challenges to global cereal production. This study investigates the prevalence of resistance to phosphine, a commonly used grain protection agent, in stored-grain insects. The research, conducted in various storage facilities across Greece, examined 53 populations of key stored-product insect species. Two assessment protocols, namely, dose–response (at 50–1000 ppm for 3 days exposure) and CORESTA (at 300 ppm for 6 days), were used herein to estimate phosphine resistance. The results showed that 13.3% of field populations were resistant, and mortality rates increased with higher phosphine concentrations. Specifically, according to the dose–response protocol, among the 53 field populations, 37.7% were found to be resistant to phosphine, namely, two populations of <i>O. surinamensis</i>, one of <i>S. oryzae</i>, seven of <i>T. confusum</i>, one of <i>C. ferrugineus</i>, one of <i>T. castaneum</i>, and all populations of <i>R. dominica</i>, whereas, according to the CORESTA protocol, all populations were found to be susceptible to phosphine. The observed resistance patterns differ from those reported in other regions of the world. The study highlights the importance of tailored fumigation strategies, considering insect species varying susceptibility to phosphine. It recommends the use of best management practices and rotational strategies, such as combining phosphine with other methods, to develop effective resistance management plans. The results provide valuable insights into the dynamic landscape of phosphine resistance in stored-product insects and suggest potential avenues for further research and control measures.
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spelling doaj-art-d23aab2a7255407b81fb86df514517a72025-08-20T02:11:05ZengMDPI AGInsects2075-44502024-10-01151080210.3390/insects15100802Assessment of Phosphine Resistance in Major Stored-Product Insects in Greece Using Two Diagnostic ProtocolsParaskevi Agrafioti0Efstathios Kaloudis1Dimitrios Kateris2Christos G. Athanassiou3Institute for Bio-Economy and Agri-Technology (IBO), Centre for Research and Technology—Hellas (CERTH), Dimarchou Georgiadou 118, 38333 Volos, GreeceComputer Simulation, Genomics and Data Analysis Laboratory, Department of Food Science and Nutrition, School of the Environment, University of the Aegean, Ierou Iochou 10 & Makrygianni, 81400 Lemnos, GreeceInstitute for Bio-Economy and Agri-Technology (IBO), Centre for Research and Technology—Hellas (CERTH), Dimarchou Georgiadou 118, 38333 Volos, GreeceInstitute for Bio-Economy and Agri-Technology (IBO), Centre for Research and Technology—Hellas (CERTH), Dimarchou Georgiadou 118, 38333 Volos, GreecePost-harvest losses due to insect infestation and spoilage by bacteria and molds pose significant challenges to global cereal production. This study investigates the prevalence of resistance to phosphine, a commonly used grain protection agent, in stored-grain insects. The research, conducted in various storage facilities across Greece, examined 53 populations of key stored-product insect species. Two assessment protocols, namely, dose–response (at 50–1000 ppm for 3 days exposure) and CORESTA (at 300 ppm for 6 days), were used herein to estimate phosphine resistance. The results showed that 13.3% of field populations were resistant, and mortality rates increased with higher phosphine concentrations. Specifically, according to the dose–response protocol, among the 53 field populations, 37.7% were found to be resistant to phosphine, namely, two populations of <i>O. surinamensis</i>, one of <i>S. oryzae</i>, seven of <i>T. confusum</i>, one of <i>C. ferrugineus</i>, one of <i>T. castaneum</i>, and all populations of <i>R. dominica</i>, whereas, according to the CORESTA protocol, all populations were found to be susceptible to phosphine. The observed resistance patterns differ from those reported in other regions of the world. The study highlights the importance of tailored fumigation strategies, considering insect species varying susceptibility to phosphine. It recommends the use of best management practices and rotational strategies, such as combining phosphine with other methods, to develop effective resistance management plans. The results provide valuable insights into the dynamic landscape of phosphine resistance in stored-product insects and suggest potential avenues for further research and control measures.https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4450/15/10/802beetlesfumigationGreecephosphineprotocolsresistance
spellingShingle Paraskevi Agrafioti
Efstathios Kaloudis
Dimitrios Kateris
Christos G. Athanassiou
Assessment of Phosphine Resistance in Major Stored-Product Insects in Greece Using Two Diagnostic Protocols
Insects
beetles
fumigation
Greece
phosphine
protocols
resistance
title Assessment of Phosphine Resistance in Major Stored-Product Insects in Greece Using Two Diagnostic Protocols
title_full Assessment of Phosphine Resistance in Major Stored-Product Insects in Greece Using Two Diagnostic Protocols
title_fullStr Assessment of Phosphine Resistance in Major Stored-Product Insects in Greece Using Two Diagnostic Protocols
title_full_unstemmed Assessment of Phosphine Resistance in Major Stored-Product Insects in Greece Using Two Diagnostic Protocols
title_short Assessment of Phosphine Resistance in Major Stored-Product Insects in Greece Using Two Diagnostic Protocols
title_sort assessment of phosphine resistance in major stored product insects in greece using two diagnostic protocols
topic beetles
fumigation
Greece
phosphine
protocols
resistance
url https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4450/15/10/802
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AT dimitrioskateris assessmentofphosphineresistanceinmajorstoredproductinsectsingreeceusingtwodiagnosticprotocols
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