Recent developments of insecticide resistance in some Turkish anophelines

Susceptibility tests carried out since 1974 in both the field and the laboratory with Anopheles sacharovi, A. hyrcanus and A. maculipennis from Turkey have revealed resistance to organophosphate and carbamate insecticides in all three species, in the first two in the southern Chukurova plain and in the third in the northern area around Osmanjik. Resistance was indicated by significant survivals when exposed to dosages killing presumed susceptible strains of these and other anopheline species. The temperature at which the susceptibility tests were carried out had a marked influence on mortalities. Broad spectra of resistance were shown by all three species, though with interspecific differences, and are attributed to the extensive and intensive use of a wide range of chemicals for agricultural pest control. Of the insecticides readily available for house-spraying for malaria control, malathion would appear to be the one with the greatest potential usefulness.