Abstract: Guidelines for Larvicide Resistance Testing: Applications, Challenges and Modifications
As the use of larval control methods increases, so does larvae resistance to commonly used active ingredients (AI) and their modes of action (MOA). Being able to evaluate and monitor larval resistance to insecticides through the World Health Organization (WHO) cup bioassay is crucial for responsible stewardship and product rotation to combat resistance and extend the useful life of this vital mosquito control tool.
This session will highlight the need to conduct larvicide resistance testing, delve into the mechanisms of resistance (MOR) that different MOAs present and introduce ongoing testing in Clarke’s labs on four proposed WHO cup bioassay modifications aimed at improving its overall utility and reliability. These continuing modifications will include modifying test methods to better mimic environmental conditions where larval products are used in the field for mosquito control; delivering improved test result accuracy that reflects product efficacy; applying test results findings to understand better the mechanism of resistance observed; and proposing solutions for managing larvicide resistance in mosquito operations.
The goal of this session is to contribute to the ongoing discussion on resistance evaluation by highlighting the need for improved larvicidal resistance testing, gaining a better understanding of MORs and how they mutate in relation to MOAs, and sharing current progress with implementing test modifications.
