Surveillance of a kdr Resistance Mutation in Culex pipiens (Diptera: Culicidae) and Culex quinquefasciatus in California

Culex pipiens Linnaeus and Culex quinquefasciatus Say are the primary vectors of West Nile and St. Louis encephalitis viruses in California. Pyrethrins and pyrethroids (synthetic pyrethrins) are the most widely used insecticides to control adult stage mosquitoes to prevent disease transmission. The most abundant and widespread mutation associated with pyrethroid resistance is the L1014F mutation of the voltage-sensitive sodium channel gene. Statewide, based on the testing of almost 2,000 mosquitoes from 14 counties, the resistant allele frequency was 71%. Although the L1014F mutation was found in all counties assessed, the resistance allele profiles differed between regions of California. The highest resistant allele frequency occurred in the Central region and lowest frequencies were from the Northern and Southern regions. Resistance allele frequencies observed in 2014–2016 are nearly 1.5 times higher than those from pre-2012, indicating that resistance profiles can change over time. Regular monitoring of the L1014F kdr mutation will help aid in operational decisions.