Pyrethroid resistance in German cockroaches (Dictyoptera: Blattelidae): resistance levels and underlying mechanisms.

Thirty strains of Blattella germanica (L.) reported to be pyrethroid resistant were collected from three continents. Greater than 2-fold resistance to the pyrethroids cyfluthrin, fenvalerate, cypermethrin, and lambda cyhalothrin appeared in 15 of these strains. Twelve of these strains were also resistant to chlorpyrifos and propoxur. All the field strains tested were heterogeneous with regard to resistance. Possible resistance mechanisms detected in these populations included elevated levels of cytochrome P450, general esterase and glutathione S-transferase, and nerve insensitivity (kdr-type resistance). The elevated esterases and oxidase-based resistance were the most prevalent; 11 and 10 strains, respectively, had evidence of these mechanisms. Resistance was synergized by piperonyl butoxide in some strains. In some strains, elevated esterases, although present, were primarily correlated with organophosphate resistance. Pyrethroid insecticides may still be effective against many of these populations because of the low levels of resistance detected. However, potential exists for more serious resistance problems to develop if only pyrethroids are used. Because many of these strains are already resistant to organophosphorus and carbamate insecticides, prospects for the future chemical control of these populations must be carefully considered.