Comparative study of resistance to organophosphate and carbamate insecticides in four strains of theCulex pipiensL. complex (Diptera: Culicidae)

Abstract

AbstractFive strains ofCulex pipiensL. (four resistant and one susceptible) were compared at the fourth larval instar for tolerance to organophosphate, carbamate and pyrethroid insecticides, with and without the addition of three synergists (piperonyl butoxide, triphenyl phosphate (TPP) andS, S, S-tributyl phosphorotrithiote (TBPT)). The DAR/D strain from Tanzania showed the highest levels and broadest range of resistance (temephos 37 ×, malathion 579×, propoxur 3032× and permethrin 100×). A strain from Rangoon and two from France (S54, BLEUET) showed lower resistance, restricted to organophosphates. Temephos and malathion resistance in the RANGOON strain was strongly inhibited by TBPT but not by TPP or piperonyl butoxide. Temephos and permethrin resistance in the DAR/D strain was slightly inhibited by TBPT and permethrin resistance by piperonyl butoxide. The DAR/D, RANGOON and CfCA (susceptible) strains were also compared for general esterase activity and phosphatase activity, both of which were higher in the resistant strains. It is concluded that resistance in RANGOON is associated with high production of an esterase sensitive to inhibition by TBPT but with little or no sensitivity to TPP, resembling but not identical in properties with the enzyme in strain S54 investigated earlier. Resistance in DAR/D was also associated with some increase in esterase activity, but the basis of resistance was different from that in S54 and RANGOON, having a much lower sensitivity to inhibition by TBPT.