Reduced Efficacy of Pyrethroid Space Sprays for Dengue Control in an Area of Martinique with Pyrethroid Resistance

In the Caribbean, insecticide resistance is widely developed in Aedes aegypti and represents a serious obstacle for dengue vector control. The efficacy of pyrethroid and organophosphate ultra-low volume space sprays was investigated in Martinique where Ae. aegypti has been shown to be resistant to conventional insecticides. In the laboratory, a wild-field caught population showed high levels of resistance to deltamethrin, organophosphate (naled), and pyrethrum. Simulated-field trials showed that this resistance can strongly reduce the knock-down effect and mortality of deltamethrin and synergized pyrethrins when applied by thermal-fogging. Conversely, the efficacy of naled was high against insecticide-resistant mosquitoes. Chemical analyses of nettings exposed to the treatments showed a decrease in residues over distance from release for the pyrethroids, and naled was not detected. This finding has important implications for dengue vector control and emphasizes the need to develop innovative strategies to maintain effective control of resistant Ae. aegypti populations.