Published online by Cambridge University Press: 10 July 2009
The cross-resistance characteristics of a dieldrin-resistant strain of Aedes aegypti (L.) from Puerto Rico were investigated by comparative tests on the adults of this and of a normal strain, using various insecticides. A resistance spectrum typical of that associated with resistance to BHC/dieldrin in other insects was revealed, characterised by slight or negligible cross-resistance to DDT, malathion and diazinon.
The mode of inheritance of dieldrin-resistance was studied by determining resistance levels in the progeny of direct crosses of the resistant and normal strains and of back-crosses. The F1 generation of the direct cross was of intermediate resistance, and the F1 generation showed 1:2:1 segregation into normal, intermediate and resistant individuals. Both back-crosses showed 1:1 segregation into susceptible and intermediate individuals when the back-cross was to the susceptible parent, or into intermediate and resistant individuals when it was to the resistant parent, and these results were confirmed when one genotype was eliminated and the back-cross was repeated. These results indicate monofactorial inheritance of an autosomal gene with intermediate dominance, which is typical of the BHC/dieldrin type of resistance.