[Determination of resistance mechanism in Culex quinquefasciatus Say 1823 and its operational implication in the correct use of insecticides for its control].

Resistance to organophosphorous insecticides such as malathion, chlorpyrihos, and pyrimiphos-methyl; pyrethroids such as deltametrine and lambda cialotrine; and the propoxur carbamate was determined in 4 strain of Culex quinquefasciatus of the Eastern, Central and Western parts of Cuba. The increase of esterase enzymes was the main mechanism involved in resistance, followed by altered acetylcholinesterase (AChe). Gene frequencies were high for esterases (1), and moderate for acetylcholinesterase (0.52) in the four strains under study, as an average. Bioassays showed resistance to malathion and propoxur. The use of DEF as esterase inhibitor showed that pyrimiphos-methyl was not affected by this mechanism of resistance, and chlorpyriphos was slightly affected. After 5 years of using pyrethroids such as deltametrine and lambda cialotrine, these are still useful agents for the control of C. quinquefasciatus; the alternate use of these and pyrimiphos-methyl or chlorpyriphos could prevent the development of resistance in a short or medium term.