273 - Monitoring of resistance in Aedes aegypti population from different habitats against different insecticides

Abstract: The mosquito, Aedes aegypti, is the most important vector of many viral diseases, such as the 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. The present study was conducted during 2023-24 to explore the development of resistance in three Ae. aegypti strains (from urban, semi-urban and rural) with a previous history of insecticidal records compared with LAB and TDW strains collected from localities with no or minimal use of insecticides. Resistance development was recorded by utilizing five commonly used insecticides against mosquitoes in Punjab, Pakistan. Results showed that deltamethrin was the best when compared with alpha cyper, 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 level of resistance increased many folds when the toxicity compared to those of years 2022 and 2023. The same findings were reflected with that of enzyme spectrum (glutathione-S-transferase, mixed function oxidases, esterase, and acetylcholinesterase). These results may help to devise a comprehensive future strategy for mosquito control through selective insecticides by limiting the spread of resistance.