ABSTRACT
A laboratory strain of Anopheles albimanus Wiedemann of known fenitrothion resistance was used in the field to compare the results of the WHO test for determining fenitrothion resistance in mosquitos with those of an enzyme microplate assay. The level of resistance obtained with the enzyme assay increased with the ambient temperature, and in order to compensate for this temperature effect, the incubation time was reduced. With the adjusted incubation times, the results for the microassay from 23 degrees C to 32 degrees C were the same as those found with the WHO test. The fenitrothion resistance of a field population of A. albimanus mosquitos determined between 27 degrees C and 31 degrees C using the adjusted enzyme microassay or the WHO test did not differ in a statistically significant way.
Subject(s)
Anopheles/enzymology , Carboxylic Ester Hydrolases/metabolism , Fenitrothion , Animals , Carboxylesterase , Female , Hot Temperature , Insecticide ResistanceABSTRACT
Simple microplate assay methods for determining the frequency of insecticide resistance in single mosquitos were used to study the distribution and localization of organophosphate and carbamate resistance in field populations of Anopheles albimanus Weidemann in Guatemala, where such resistance, caused by heavy use of agricultural pesticides, has long been assumed to be widespread. Areas of complete susceptibility to organophophates and carbamates were observed, as well as areas where the resistant phenotypes represented up to 98 percent of the population. Overall, the resistance levels were lower and more localized than expected. Two mechanisms of resistance were identified by the microassay methods. These were the elevated esterase (nonspecific esterase) and insensitive acetylcholinesterase mechanisms which were selected independently, the former (documented for the first time in Central American anophelines) being predominant. These methods represent a promising new technology for the detection and assessment of resistance and will facilitate improved control strategy decisions
