Distribution and dynamics of esterase alleles in Culex pipiens complex in China

To investigate insecticide resistance and dynamic changes of carboxylesterase polymorphism in mosquitoes with time in the Culex pipiens complex (Diptera: Culicidae), nine field mosquito populations were collected in China. The resistance levels of fourth-instar larvae to organophosphate (dichlorvos, parathion, and chlorpyrifos), carbamate (fenobucarb and propoxur), and pyrethroid (permethrin, deltamethrin and tetramethrin) insecticides were determined by bioassay. Larvae had more resistance to organophosphate insecticides than to carbamate insecticides. A low but significant resistance was observed for carbamate insecticides. The resistance to pyrethroid insecticides varied from sensitive to high. Starch gel electrophoresis revealed the presence of the overproduced esterases B1, A2B2, A8B8, A9B9, B10 and A11B11. The frequency of each overproduced esterases varied depending on its regional localities. Compared with published surveys, the C. pipiens complex, which exhibited a high polymorphism of applied esterase alleles in China, showed dynamic evolution over time under local specific insecticide selection. The results are discussed in the context of recent alterations to insecticide campaigns, and in the evolution of resistance genes in Chinese C. pipiens populations.

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► The pesticides resistance levels of mosquitoes were determined by bioassay in China.
► The status of esterase polymorphism varied depending on its regional localities.
► The esterase dynamics and evolution in Chinese populations of mosquito were described.
► The ability of resistance management and vector control were improved in China.