NEVBD pesticide resistance monitoring network: Building a regional collaborative network to detect pesticide resistance in disease vectors

Pesticide resistance is an emerging global health issue that can impact the efficacy of control operations targeting important disease vectors. Pesticide resistance monitoring is rarely conducted on a regional scale. The Northeastern Regional Center for Excellence in Vector-Borne Diseases (NEVBD) was funded by CDC in 2016 to investigate vector-borne diseases and enhance control operations in the northeastern United States (US). A pesticide resistance survey was distributed in 2019 and 2020 to determine the needs of the public health community. These surveys provided information that guided the development of our monitoring program. In response to community needs, NEVBD initiated a specimen submission system wherein local mosquito control operators could send live Aedes albopictus and Culex pipiens specimens directly to our laboratory for pesticide resistance testing using bioassays. To support the specimen submission program, NEVBD also developed diagnostics for the most commonly deployed larvicide active ingredients in the region; methoprene, Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis, and Lysinibacillus sphaericus. We also provided kits and guidelines for collecting and rearing mosquitoes for resistance bioassays. In 2019 widespread low-level methoprene resistance was detected in Cx. pipiens populations across the region. We also detected resistance to pyrethroids in many Ae. albopictus and Cx. pipiens populations. In 2020 many locations were re-sampled. These data will be presented, along with results from field efficacy trials conducted in collaboration with agencies in Massachusetts and New Jersey. For more details regarding the NEVBD pesticide resistance monitoring network please visit https://neregionalvectorcenter.com/resistance.