Independent selection of multiple mechanisms for pyrethroid resistance in guatemalan Anopheles albimanus (Diptera : Culicidae)

Isofemale lines were established containing either, both, or neither of the elevated esterase and oxidase resistance mechanisms conferring pyrethroid resistance in a Guatemalan strain of Anopheles albimanus (Wiedemann). Plots of esterase and oxidase levels for individual mosquitoes from these single families correlated with data obtained using oxidase and esterase synergis ts in bioassays run in the bottle format. Mixed populations of pyrethroid-r esistant A. albimanus adult females were selected using DDT, permethrin, or malathion; and the esterase and oxidase levels of the individual progeny w ere plotted. These data showed that the 3 classes of insecticide selected t he 2 mechanisms differently. These results are discussed in terms of the pr oblem of multiresistance surveillance in the field, especially concerning p yrethroid insecticides and the interaction of agricultural and public healt h insecticide application.