Abstract: By using synergist bioassay and biochemical analysis, this paper approached the resistance mechanisms of Spodoptera exigua (Hübner) to fenvalerate and alpha-cypermethrin. The synergistic ratios of piperonyl butoxide (PBO), o,o-diethyl-o-phenyl-thiophosphate (SV₁), triphenyl phosphate (TPP), and diethyl maleate (DEM) between fenvalerate-resistant strain (Fen-R) and susceptible strain were 10.2, 7.8, 12.5, and 1.1, and those between alpha-cypermethrin resistant strain (Cyp-R) and susceptible strain were 21.6, 15.5, 8.6, and 1.2, respectively. Significant synergisms of PBO, SV₁, and TPP to fenvalerateand alpha-cypermethrin wereobserved, implying that multifunctional oxidase and carboxylesterase were involved in the resistance to fenvalerate and alpha-cypermethrin. The carboxylesterase activities in the fourth instar larvae of Cyp-Rand Fen-R strains were 1.9 and 2.2 folds of the corresponding susceptible strains, respectively, but no differences were found in the glutathione-S-transferase activities between the resistant and susceptible strains, which indicated that carboxylesterase played an important role in the resistance of S. exigua to fenvalerate and alpha-cypermethrin, while glutathione-S-transferase contributed little to the resistance. There were no significant differences in the Na-K-ATPase activities between the resistant and susceptible strains, but the inhibition of fenvalerate and alpha-cypermethrin on Na-K-ATPase was higher in the susceptible strains than in the resistant strains, indicating the decreased sensitivity of Na-K-ATPase in resistant strains.

Key words: Spodoptera exigua, fenvalerate, alpha-cypermethrin, insecticide resistance, biochemical mechanism, socio-hydrology, coupled human-water system, sustainable utilization of water resources, two-way feedbacks.