Pyrethroid Insecticide Resistance kdr Gene in the House Fly, Musca domestica (Diptera: Muscidae), in the United Arab Emirates

Abstract

The house fly, Musca domestica L., is a very important insect\rbecause of its role as a vector of several human, livestock, and poultry\rdiseases. Different groups of insecticides, including the pyrethroids, are\rused to control house flies. The objective of the current study was to conduct\ra survey of the kdr insecticide\rresistance gene in the house fly population in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).\rFlies were collected from five locations (Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Fujairah, Ajman,\rand Ras Al- Khaymah). Genomic DNA was extracted and polymerase chain reaction\r(PCR) amplification of specific allele (PASA) was performed. The maximum\rpercentage (70%) of homozygous genotype (kdr/kdr) occurred at\rAjman, followed by Dubai (59.5%), and the minimum percentage occurred at Ras\rAl-Khaymah (14.3%). Resistant insects of the genotype kdr/kdr were detected in\rall of the tested house fly populations. Ajman and Fujairah house fly\rpopulations were in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. The resistance kdr allele was found at a high frequency (0.54 - 0.8) at all locations except at\rRas Al-Khaymah (0.21). Together, this study demonstrated that the pyrethroid\rinsecticide resistance kdr allele was found in UAE house fly\rpopulations, strongly suggesting that a countrywide pyrethroid insecticide\rresistance management program needs to be implemented.