Dieldrin Resistance in the European Chafer Grub12

Abstract

A strain of Amphimallon majalis (Razoumowsky) has developed a 300- to 500-fold resistance to dieldrin when compared with a susceptible strain. Little difference could he found between strains with respect to cuticular penetration rate, internal distribution, tissue absorption, or metabolism of dieldrin. Although ATPase activity in nervous tissue was sensitive to dieldrin, the level of inhibition was almost identical in the 2 strains. Another enzyme, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogeuase, also was measured and was the same in both stocks. In only one factor of those investigated could significant differences between the strains be found, The lipid composition of resistant grubs contained over twice as much palmitic and oleic acids as that of susceptible grubs.