Identification and distribution of a GABA receptor mutation conferring dieldrin resistance in the malaria vector Anopheles funestus in Africa

► Dieldrin resistance detected in An. funestus from West and Central Africa. ► Identification of the A296S conferring dieldrin resistance after sequencing. ► V327I mutation detected in resistant samples and associated with the A296S mutation. ► Two diagnostic assays were developed to genotype the A296S mutation. ► High frequency of RdlR in West Africa but complete absence in southern Africa.