National Insecticide Resistance Working Group

The Insecticide Resistance Working Group is a collaborative group dedicated to advancing the understanding and management of insecticide resistance in mosquitoes. Our members span across the United States and Puerto Rico and represent diverse expertise from academia, U.S. federal agencies, local mosquito control programs, and industry. Many of our members are also affiliated with a CDC regional Center of Excellence (COEs) and/or Training and Evaluation Center (TEC), enhancing our ability to tackle complex challenges through multidisciplinary approaches.

We aim to address critical knowledge gaps related to insecticide resistance, ensuring mosquito control strategies remain effective in protecting public health. By fostering collaboration across sectors and regions, we aim to develop innovative solutions, share best practices, and promote evidence-based decision-making to combat the growing threat of resistance.

Members and Contact Information

Charles Abadam | NEVBD-TEC | cabadam@suffolkva.us


Lindsay Baxter | NEVBD-TEC | lb694@cornell.edu


Chris Bibbs | RaHP VEC | chris@slcmad.org


Jennifer Carder | jennifer.b.carder.civ@health.mil


Roxanne Connelly | csz5@cdc.gov


Scott Crans | NEVBD-TEC | Scott.Crans@dep.nj.gov


Casey Parker Crockett | Ab73@cdc.gov


Nina Dacko | Nina.Dacko@phs.hctx.net


Todd Duval | NEVBD-TEC | todd.duval@state.ma.us


Justin Harbison | MCEVBD | jharbison@luc.edu


Laura Harrington | NEVBD-TEC | lch27@cornell.edu


Áine Lehane | NEVBD-TEC | al2432@cornell.edu


Kristina Lopez | MCEVBD | KLopez@nsmad.org


Elisabeth Martin | NEVBD-TEC | em824@cornell.edu


“Tiffany” Thuy-Vi Thi Nguyen | SECVBD | thuy-vithi.nguyen@dph.ga.gov


Edmund Norris | Edmund.Norris@usda.gov


Karla Saavedra-Rodriguez | RaHP VEC | Karla.Saavedra_Rodriguez@colostate.edu


Sierra Schluep | sschluep@ufl.edu


Tara Theiman | PacVec | tthiemann@pacific.edu


Amarilys Asencio Torres | TITEC | aasencio@prvectorcontrol.org


Edward Walker | MCEVBD | walker@msu.edu


Sarah Wheeler | PacVec | swheeler@fightthebite.net


Greg White | RaHP VEC | greg@slcmad.org

Current Projects

Modifying the CDC Bottle Bioassay to Capture More Quantitative Data

This project explores the relationship between semi-field cage trial data and CDC bottle bioassay mean lethal time data (using Kaplan-Meier survival analysis). Data was provided by multiple members of the insecticide resistance working group. Data has been included for multiple mosquito species and active ingredients. Work continues in order to fill gaps in the current data set, particularly including additional mosquito strains.


Formulated Product vs. Technical Grade Active Ingredient Assays

The CDC bottle bioassay is widely used for assessing insecticide resistance in mosquitoes. Programs have adapted the assay and made modifications, most notable substituting technical grade active ingredient for formulated product. The objective of this project is to compare mortality of mosquito populations using three assay methods including: 1) standard CDC bottle bioassay with technical grade active ingredient, 2) modified assay using formulated product at concentrations matching those used in the CDC bottle bioassay, and 3) modified assay using formulated product at concentrations approximating field application rates.


Best Practice Guidance Document on Mosquito Semi-Field Cage Trials

We are currently developing a best practice guidance document for conducting semi-field cage trials. The goal is to be able to provide a resource to program looking to conduct cages trials. The guidance document will include information on methods for conducting both ground and aerial applications, equipment considerations, droplet analysis, mosquito selection, and data analysis and interpretation.

Resources

Insecticide Resistance Action Committee (IRAC)

Prevention and management of insecticide resistance in vectors of public health importance. IRM Vector Manual


WHO manual for monitoring insecticide resistance in mosquito vectors and selecting appropriate interventions WHO IR Manual


CDC - global manual for evaluating insecticide resistance using the CDC bottle bioassay CDC Bottle Bioassay Manual

Working Group Products and Publications

Publications

Measuring insecticide resistance in a vacuum: exploring next steps to link resistance data with mosquito control efficacy Lehane A, Parker-Crockett C, Norris E, Wheeler SS, Harrington LC. 2024. Journal of Medical Entomology. 61(3):584-594. DOI: 10.1093/jme/tjae029