Inheritance of DDT-resistance in a European strain of Blattella germanica (L.).

A strain of Blattella germanica has recently been obtained from Europe which has proved to be highly resistant to DDT. This paper reports on genetical studies designed to show the mechanism of inheritance of the trait. Various crosses involving this strain and strains susceptible to DDT or possessing genetic markers were made. Progeny were tested for resistance to DDT and were examined for markers. The results show that DDT resistance is inherited as a simple Mendelian trait, with the hybrid being incompletely susceptible. Resistance appears to be on the same linkage group as "balloon-wing", but is independent of "orange-body".