Insecticide Resistance Dynamics in Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae) from Different Habitats in the Punjab, Pakistan

Abstract

Background: The mosquito Aedes aegypti is the most important vector of many viral diseases, such as dengue virus. Thus, various chemical insecticides are being used to control this vector. On the other hand, due to the intensive blind use of chemical insecticides, mosquito vectors are rapidly developing resistance against most of them.

Methods: The present study was conducted during 2024–25 to explore the development of resistance in three Ae. ae­gypti strains with a previous history of insecticidal records compared with Laboratory (LAB) and Tidiwala (TDW) strains collected from localities (Tidiwala and rural barren land) with no or minimal use of insecticides. Resistance de­velopment was recorded by utilizing five commonly used insecticides against mosquitoes in Punjab, Pakistan.

Results: Results showed that deltamethrin was the best during 2024 when compared with alpha-cypermethrin, temeph­os, lambda-cyhalothrin and Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis. All field-collected strains revealed significant resistance to the tested insecticides compared with LAB and TDW strains. The same findings were reflected in the enzyme spec­trum (glutathione-S-transferase, mixed-function oxidases, esterase, and acetylcholinesterase).

Conclusion: These results may help to devise a comprehensive future strategy for mosquito control through selective insecticides by limiting the spread of resistance.