Abstract

Objective: To determine the susceptibility status of Culex pipiens (Cx. pipiens) against two important and widely used insecticides (deltamethrin and DDT) in Urmia County, the main city of West Azerbaijan Province, northwestern Iran. Methods: The susceptibility tests were carried out using the recommended method by World Health Organization (WHO). The sugar-fed 3-5 days old adult female Cx. pipiens were selected from reared larvae and/or from laid eggs. The female Cx. pipiens were transferred to holding tubes and after completing an hour of rest and removal of dead and damaged samples, the specimens were exposed for 60 min to toxicant tube containing insecticide impregnated papers which were supplied by WHO and specified discriminating concentration. Results: The results of experiments reveals the higher mortality rate against both studied insecticides (deltamethrin and DDT). Considering the WHO criteria, the studied species, Cx. pipiens, is resistant to both deltamethrin and DDT. Conclusions: Considering the notable role of this species in the transmission of several diseases and its wide range distribution across the Iran and neighboring countries and the probability of establishment of these diseases in this region Iran, further studies are needed regarding the study of resistance mechanisms of this species against insecticides using molecular and biochemical methods.

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