A new wave: Using electropenetrography to assess the effects of potential neonicotinoid alternatives on vector behavior and virus transmission

Neonicotinoid insecticides are routinely used in commercial cropping systems to control insect pests and the diseases they can transmit. Because neonicotinoids are systemic and persist within plant tissues, the insecticide is applied only once at the time of planting. This ease of application and their excellent season-long pest control have rendered neonicotinoids essential for many crops. However, an almost exclusive reliance on this class of insecticides has allowed pest populations to develop neonicotinoid resistance while simultaneously harming beneficial insect communities and raising environmental concerns. Food retailers and regulatory agencies are beginning to shift away from neonicotinoid use because of these issues, but growers will require effective long-term alternatives. The U.S. potato industry currently depends on neonicotinoids to manage the green peach aphid (Myzus persicae (Sulzer); Hemiptera: Aphididae), an efficient vector of multiple viruses that threaten potato production. Here, we used electropenetrography (EPG) in conjunction with inoculation and acquisition assays to evaluate the effects of potential neonicotinoid alternatives on green peach aphid behavior and virus transmission. Investigating possible replacements for neonicotinoid use in potato is critical to facilitate the development of new pest management strategies with fewer unwanted non-target impacts.