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Interaction of insecticide resistance genes in field populations of Culex pipiens (Diptera: Culicidae) from italy in response to changing insecticide selection pressure

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  10 July 2009

B. C. Bonning
Affiliation:
Department of Medical Parasitology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, UK
J. Hemingway*
Affiliation:
Department of Medical Parasitology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, UK
R. Romi
Affiliation:
Istituto Superiore di Sanita, Rome, Italy
G. Majori
Affiliation:
Istituto Superiore di Sanita, Rome, Italy
*
J. Hemingway, Department of Medical Parasitology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel St (Gower St), London WC1E 7HT, UK.

Abstract

Culex pipiens Linnaeus larvae were collected from various locations in Italy and colonized as separate strains. These were analysed for elevated nonspecific esterase activity and frequency of altered acetylcholinesterase (AChE) mechanisms of insecticide resistance, and bioassayed, to define the cross-resistance spectra conferred by these to organophosphorus and carbamate insecticides. These mechanisms were further characterized by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Elevated esterase A1 (formerly known as Est 3A) which predominated in C. pipiens from Italy in 1985 had been replaced by two esterases, A2 and B2. Altered acetylcholinesterase was still present at high frequencies. Altered and normal acetylcholinesterase were distinguished by differential mobility on polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Levels of insecticide resistance were higher in the Lucca region of Italy than in other areas sampled, in response to intensive use of temephos and to a lesser extent chlor-pyrifos, employed to reduce mosquito biting nuisance to tourists in this area.

Type
Research Paper
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1991

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