Insecticide resistance monitoring in culex quinquefasciatus - The vector of lymphatic filariasis

Abstract

Objective: To assess the insecticide resistance status of Culex quinquefasciatus Say (Diptera: Culicidae) to deltamethrin, cyfluthrin and malathion in Kozhikode, Cochin, Malappuram, Thrissur and Palakkad town areas of Kerala. Methods: Insecticide susceptibility assays were performed on adult female Cx. quinquefasciatus mosquitoes against discriminating doses of deltamethrin 0.05%, cyfluthrin 0.15% and malathion 5.0% following the procedure laid down by World Health Organisation (WHO). Result: The data showed that Cx. quinquefasciatus is highly resistant to synthetic pyrethroids viz., deltamethrin and cyfluthrin as compared with the organophosphorus insecticide malathion. Conclusion: The present study revealed the presence of resistance amongst the field populations of Cx. quinquefasciatus in the study areas of five districts of Kerala. This study reflects the current status of insecticide resistance in vector of Lymphatic Filariasis in districts of Kerala which may be of immense help during the implementation of vector control strategies against Cx. quinquefasciatus.