Resistance Status to Deltamethrin, Permethrin, and Temephos Along With Preliminary Resistance Mechanism in Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae) From Punjab, Pakistan

Abstract

Abstract The use of insecticides such as deltamethrin, permethrin, and temephos has been a primary tool to manage Aedes aegypti (Linnaeus) in Punjab province, Pakistan; however, recent reports of control failure necessitate monitoring insecticide resistance. For this reason, we evaluated 12 field strains of Ae. aegypti from Punjab for resistance against deltamethrin, permethrin, and temephos along with underlying resistance mechanisms. For deltamethrin, high level of resistance was observed in Rawalpindi, Faisalabad, Sheikhupura, Lahore, Pattoki, and Kasur strains (RRLC50 > 10-fold); moderate level of resistance in Sargodha, Gujranwala, and Sialkot strains (RRLC50 = 5- to 10-fold), and low level of resistance in Okara, Multan, and Sahiwal strains (RRLC50 < 5-fold). In the case of permethrin, high level of resistance was found in all the field strains, except the Okara strain that exhibited moderate resistance. For temephos, five field strains, viz. Faisalabad, Rawalpindi, Kasur, Lahore, and Gujranwala, showed high level of resistance; five strains, viz. Sheikhupura, Sialkot, Pattoki, Sahiwal, and Okara, showed moderate resistance, and two strains from Multan and Sargodha showed low resistance to temephos. Synergism bioassays implementing piperonyl butoxide and S,S,S-tributylphosphorotrithioate exhibited a nonsignificant effect on synergizing toxicity of deltamethrin and permethrin in all field strains except the Lahore strain, suggesting the possible role of target-site resistance mechanism. However, both synergists had a significant effect on synergizing toxicity of temephos in all field strains, suggesting the possibility of metabolic-based mechanism of insecticide resistance. In conclusion, the study confirmed the presence of resistance to deltamethrin, permethrin, and temephos in the studied field strains of Ae. aegypti from Punjab, Pakistan.