Comparison of two bioassay methods for determining deltamethrin resistance in German cockroaches (Blattodea: Blattellidae).

Susceptibility to deltamethrin of 10 strains of the German cockroach, Blattella germanica (L.), trapped in hotel kitchens in Singapore was determined. Two resistance detection bioassay methods (topical application and World Health Organization glass jar method) were compared. Resistance ratios based on 50% knockdown, obtained by comparison with the S strain, ranged from 17.7 to 4,235 for topical application and from 2.2 to 22 for the glass jar method. A field strain, with consistently low resistance ratios (topical method = 17.7, glass jar method = 2.2), was identified as a potential field strain to be used as a baseline for comparison with other field strains. Resistance ratios for the other field strains obtained by comparison with the R5 strain ranged from 24.5 to 239 for topical application and from 1.2 to 9.8 for the glass jar method. The results of our study demonstrate that deltamethrin-resistant German cockroaches are numerous in Singapore. Comparison between the two bioassay methods showed that there was significant correlation between KD50 and KT50 values. The glass jar method is similar to field situations but topical application is sensitive enough to define the magnitude of resistance. Differences between the two detection bioassays and the factors governing the choice of bioassay in monitoring resistance in German cockroaches are discussed.