Microevolution

Abendroth, J.A., T.W. Moural, C. Cruse, J.A. Hernandez, M. Wolfin, T.C. Baker, A. Alyokhin and F. Zhu. 2025. Pleiotropic functions of an antenna-specific odorant binding protein linking xenobiotic adaptation and olfaction in the Colorado potato beetle, Leptinotarsa decemlineata. Insects 16(12), 1259.

Insecticides, Microevolution /

The Colorado potato beetle (CPB) is the primary defoliator of potatoes and is notorious for its ability to develop resistance to various insecticides. This remarkable adaptability may partly reflect selective pressures imposed due to the beetle’s coevolution with toxic Solanaceous host plants. As the initial interface between the environment and the insect olfactory system, odorant-binding […]

Abendroth, J.A., T.W. Moural, C. Cruse, J.A. Hernandez, M. Wolfin, T.C. Baker, A. Alyokhin and F. Zhu. 2025. Pleiotropic functions of an antenna-specific odorant binding protein linking xenobiotic adaptation and olfaction in the Colorado potato beetle, Leptinotarsa decemlineata. Insects 16(12), 1259. Read More »

Narva, K., U. Toprak, A. Alyokhin, R. Groves, J.L. Jurat‐Fuentes, W. Moar, R. Nauen, S. Whipple, and G. Head. 2025. Insecticide resistance management scenarios differ for RNA‐based sprays and traits. Insect Molecular Biology 34: 518-526.

Insecticides, Microevolution /

RNA-based bioinsecticides that comprise a dsRNA active ingredient and function by RNA interference (RNAi) are being commercialised as insecticidal traits in transgeniccrops and as sprayable biopesticides. These RNAi insecticidal technologies are valuable alternatives to conventional chemical insecticides due to their efficacy, high degree ofspecificity and favourable human and environmental safety profiles. As with all pesticides,

Narva, K., U. Toprak, A. Alyokhin, R. Groves, J.L. Jurat‐Fuentes, W. Moar, R. Nauen, S. Whipple, and G. Head. 2025. Insecticide resistance management scenarios differ for RNA‐based sprays and traits. Insect Molecular Biology 34: 518-526. Read More »

Alyokhin, A.V., B.M. Rosenthal, D.C. Weber, and M.B. Baker. 2025. Towards a unified approach in managing resistance to vaccines, drugs, and pesticides. Biological Reviews 100: 1067-1082.

Insecticides, Microevolution, Reviews

Everywhere, pests and pathogens evolve resistance to our control efforts, impairing human health and welfare. Developing sustainable solutions to this problem requires working with evolved immune and ecological systems, rather than against these evolutionary forces. We advocate a transdisciplinary approach to resistance based on an evolutionary foundation informed by the concepts of integrated pest management

Alyokhin, A.V., B.M. Rosenthal, D.C. Weber, and M.B. Baker. 2025. Towards a unified approach in managing resistance to vaccines, drugs, and pesticides. Biological Reviews 100: 1067-1082. Read More »

Gao, Y., A. Alyokhin, R. Zhang, G. Smagghe, S.R. Palli, J.L. Jurat-Fuentes, and B.E. Tabashnik. 2024. Proactive resistance management for sustaining the efficacy of RNA interference for pest control. Journal of Economic Entomology 117: 1306-1308.

Insecticides, Microevolution /

Biopesticides based on RNA interference (RNAi) took a major step forward with the first registration of a sprayable RNAi product, which targets the world’s most damaging potato pest. Proactive resistance management is needed to delay the evolution of resistance by pests and sustain the efficacy of RNAi biopesticides.

Gao, Y., A. Alyokhin, R. Zhang, G. Smagghe, S.R. Palli, J.L. Jurat-Fuentes, and B.E. Tabashnik. 2024. Proactive resistance management for sustaining the efficacy of RNA interference for pest control. Journal of Economic Entomology 117: 1306-1308. Read More »

Yoon, K. A., J. H. Kim, R. Nauen, A. Alyokhin, J. M. Clark, and S. H. Lee. 2022. Characterization of molecular and kinetic properties of two acetylcholinesterases from the Colorado potato beetle, Leptinotarsa decemlineata. Pesticide Biochemistry and Physiology 185: 105137. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pestbp.2022.105137

Insecticides, Microevolution /

The molecular and biochemical properties of two acetylcholinesterases (LdAChE1 and LdAChE2) from the Colorado potato beetle, Leptinotarsa decemlineata, were investigated in this study. Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in conjunction with western blotting with LdAChE1- or LdAChE2-specific antibodies suggested that LdAChE1 exists in a soluble form, whereas LdAChE2 exists in both soluble and amphiphilic forms with a

Yoon, K. A., J. H. Kim, R. Nauen, A. Alyokhin, J. M. Clark, and S. H. Lee. 2022. Characterization of molecular and kinetic properties of two acetylcholinesterases from the Colorado potato beetle, Leptinotarsa decemlineata. Pesticide Biochemistry and Physiology 185: 105137. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pestbp.2022.105137 Read More »

Liu, Y., T. Moural, B.K.S. Koirala, J. Hernandez, Z. Shen, A. Alyokhin, and F. Zhu. 2021. Structural and functional characterization of one unclassified glutathione s-transferase in xenobiotic adaptation of Leptinotarsa decemlineata. International Journal of Molecular Sciences 22: 11921. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms222111921

Microevolution /

Arthropod Glutathione S-transferases (GSTs) constitute a large family of multifunctional enzymes that are mainly associated with xenobiotic or stress adaptation. GST-mediated xenobiotic adaptation takes place through direct metabolism or sequestration of xenobiotics, and/or indirectly by providing protection against oxidative stress induced by xenobiotic exposure. To date, the roles of GSTs in xenobiotic adaptation in the

Liu, Y., T. Moural, B.K.S. Koirala, J. Hernandez, Z. Shen, A. Alyokhin, and F. Zhu. 2021. Structural and functional characterization of one unclassified glutathione s-transferase in xenobiotic adaptation of Leptinotarsa decemlineata. International Journal of Molecular Sciences 22: 11921. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms222111921 Read More »

Mishra, S., J. Dee, W. Moar, J. Dufner-Beattie, J. Baum, N. P. Dias, A. Alyokhin, A. Buzza, S.I. Rondon, M. Clough, and S. Menasha. 2021. Selection for high levels of resistance to double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) in Colorado potato beetle (Leptinotarsa decemlineata Say) using non-transgenic foliar delivery. Scientific Reports 11 (2021): 6523. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-85876-1

Microevolution /

Insecticidal double-stranded RNAs (dsRNAs) silence expression of vital genes by activating the RNA interference (RNAi) mechanism in insect cells. Despite high commercial interest in insecticidal dsRNA, information on resistance to dsRNA is scarce, particularly for dsRNA products with non-transgenic delivery (ex. foliar/topical application) nearing regulatory review. We report the development of the CEAS 300 population

Mishra, S., J. Dee, W. Moar, J. Dufner-Beattie, J. Baum, N. P. Dias, A. Alyokhin, A. Buzza, S.I. Rondon, M. Clough, and S. Menasha. 2021. Selection for high levels of resistance to double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) in Colorado potato beetle (Leptinotarsa decemlineata Say) using non-transgenic foliar delivery. Scientific Reports 11 (2021): 6523. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-85876-1 Read More »

Klein, C., M. Baker, A. Alyokhin, and D. Mota-Sanchez. 2021. Geographic variation in dominance of spinosad resistance in Colorado potato beetles (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae). Journal of Economic Entomology 114: 320-325.

Microevolution /

Eastern New York State is frequently the site of Colorado potato beetle (Leptinotarsa decemlineata Say) populations with the highest observed levels of insecticide resistance to a range of active ingredients. The dominance of a resistant phenotype will affect its rate of increase and the potential for management. On organic farms on Long Island, L. decemlineata

Klein, C., M. Baker, A. Alyokhin, and D. Mota-Sanchez. 2021. Geographic variation in dominance of spinosad resistance in Colorado potato beetles (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae). Journal of Economic Entomology 114: 320-325. Read More »

Alyokhin, A. and Y. H. Chen. 2017. Adaptation to toxic hosts as a factor in the evolution of insecticide resistance. Current Opinion in Insect Science 21: 33-38.

Microevolution, Reviews

Insecticide resistance is a serious economic problem that jeopardizes sustainability of chemical control of herbivorous insects and related arthropods. It can be viewed as a specific case of adaptation to toxic chemicals, which has been driven in large part, but not exclusively, by the necessity for insect pests to tolerate defensive compounds produced by their

Alyokhin, A. and Y. H. Chen. 2017. Adaptation to toxic hosts as a factor in the evolution of insecticide resistance. Current Opinion in Insect Science 21: 33-38. Read More »

Alyokhin, A. and L. Miller. 2015. Propensity for flying and walking by the Colorado potato beetles treated with imidacloprid. American Journal of Potato Research 92: 138-142.

Insecticides, Microevolution /

The Colorado potato beetle, Leptinotarsa decemlineata (Say) is a very serious pest of potatoes which is highly mobile and capable of rapid evolution of resistance to chemical control. Insect movement, resulting in gene flow between resistant and susceptible populations, is considered to be an important factor affecting the development and spread of insecticide resistance. We investigated the

Alyokhin, A. and L. Miller. 2015. Propensity for flying and walking by the Colorado potato beetles treated with imidacloprid. American Journal of Potato Research 92: 138-142. Read More »