In 2010 the IRAC Oilseed Rape Working Group in collaboration with multiple researchers located around Europe, continued to monitor the susceptibility status of pollen beetle samples to pyrethroid insecticides. A summary of the findings from this survey can be found on our 2010 pollen beetle monitoring poster. In order to help monitor potential susceptibility changes to other insecticides, new methods for monitoring pollen beetle susceptibility to neonicotinoids and organophosphates have also been drafted and these can be found on the eMethods section of the IRAC web-site. 2010 has also seen an increased diversity of control options for pollen beetle and our oilseed rape resistance management guidelines have also been updated to reflect these changes. The guidelines have additionally been summarised in a new IRM guidelines poster format, to help spread the resistance management message.
- IRAC IRM Guidelines
- Posters
- Presentations
- Publications & Articles
- Resistance Monitoring
Coleoptera Team
Oilseed Rape Sub-Group Objective
- Coordinated European pollen beetle monitoring.
- Provide researchers validated methods.
- Provide and distribute relevant information on OSR pest sensitivity to growers and regulators.
Team Leader: Russell Slater, Syngenta
In 2007 an IRAC Pollen Beetle Team was established to bring together expertise from agrochemical companies and independent researchers in order to monitor the development of insecticide resistance in oilseed rape pests and to provide guidance and advice on the best practices to prevent further insecticide resistance development. In 2010 the team adopted a wider role looking at resistance issues in oilseed rape and as a result changed their team name to the Oilseed Rape WG.
Pyrethroid resistance has been recorded in European populations of the pollen beetle (Meligethes aeneus) since 1999, when it was first reported in Eastern France. Pyrethroid insecticides have long been favoured as the method of control for insect pests of oilseed rape and a lack of alternative insecticides with different modes of action, has ensured a continued high selection pressure for pyrethroid resistance. This has lead to the spread of resistant pollen beetle across much of the oilseed rape growing regions of Europe.
Further information can be found in the linked documents on this page and from the 2007 Ad hoc EPPO Workshop on insecticide resistance of Meligethes spp.on oilseed rape.
Latest News
The date of February 22nd has been set for the next face-to-face meeting of the IRAC Pollen Beetle WG. For full details of the agenda,
Proposed agenda is:
- Pollen beetle methodology review and approval for neonicotinoids
- Pollen beetle methodology review and approval for OPs
- 2009 Monitoring poster review and approval (to be circulated prior to meeting)
- Review of Draft IRAC Pollen beetle monitoring scientific paper.
- Flea beetle resistance – monitoring and possible changes to OSR IRM
- Kdr monitoring results
