Insecticide Responses in the Collembola Pest, Sminthurus viridis (Collembola: Sminthuridae), in Australia

Abstract

Lucerne flea (Sminthurus viridis Linnaeus) is an important establishment pest of winter grain crops and pastures in Australia. Control of S. viridis largely relies on the application of insecticides through foliar sprays or seed treatments; however, in recent years, farmers have faced increasing difficulties managing this pest. This is likely due to their high inherent tolerance to certain chemicals, although there are increasing concerns around emerging resistance. Despite this, there have been no studies worldwide investigating insecticide sensitivity shifts on S. viridis. Further, there is currently no established method to test the response of S. viridis to neonicotinoids, which are now ..