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Emerging Trends in Larvicide Resistance: Implications for Mosquito Control Symposium II

Emerging Trends in Larvicide Resistance: Implications for Mosquito Control Symposium II

172 - Precision larvicide resistance management for Aedes aegypti and Ae. albopictus in Florida

Wednesday, March 25, 2026

4:00 PM - 4:20 PM PDT

Location: B115

Presenter(s)

EB

Eva Buckner, PhD

Assistant Professor and Extension Specialist
University of Florida, Florida, United States

Co-Author(s)

Raquel Lima de Souza, n/a

Postdoctoral Researcher Associate
University of Florida, Florida, United States
VP

Vivek Pokhrel, PhD

University of Florida, Florida, United States
CA

Charlotte Addae, MS

University of Florida, Florida, United States
Sierra Schluep

PhD Student
University of Florida, Florida, United States
AV

Abigail Valentino, n/a

University of Florida, Florida, United States
CD

Chelsea Dorsainvil, n/a

University of Florida, Florida, United States
VM

Victoria Mills, n/a

University of Florida, Florida, United States
Tianyun (Steven) Su, MSc, MD, PhD

Board of Trustees
Northwest MVCD, California, United States
EC

Eric P. Caragata, n/a

Assistant Professor
University of Florida, Florida, United States
NB

Nathan Burkett-Cadena, PhD (he/him/his)

Associate Professor
University of Florida, Florida, United States

Abstract: Larval control is vital to Florida’s integrated mosquito management, but repeated use of a handful of larvicide active ingredients can drive resistance and diminish effectiveness. To equip local control programs with actionable data, we conducted a statewide larvicide resistance survey of Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus across 30 sites in 14 counties, testing methoprene, spinosad, and Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis (Bti). Larvicide bioassay results, analyzed via probit regression and expressed as resistance ratios to a susceptible laboratory strain, show that all populations remain fully susceptible to Bti, while mild to moderate methoprene resistance has emerged in ~90 % of Ae. aegypti and ~10 % of Ae. albopictus. Spinosad tolerance in Ae. albopictus is limited (< 10 %) statewide, whereas ~36 % of Ae. aegypti populations are tolerant and ~5 % show mild resistance. These results support use of Bti as the primary larvicide active ingredient, rotation or limitation of methoprene, and retention of spinosad as a secondary option for Ae. aegypti and Ae. albopictus control in Florida. Site-specific resistance reports and active ingredient recommendations were delivered directly to program managers, enabling immediate adjustment of chemical programs. This extension‑driven approach translates surveillance data into practice, preserving larvicide efficacy and strengthening statewide mosquito control.