STUDIES ON THE INHERITANCE OF CARBAMATE-RESISTANCE IN THE HOUSEFLY (MUSCA DOMESTICA L.)

Abstract

In view of the increasing importance of carbamic acid esters in insect control, the authors have conducted studies on the inheritance of carbamate-resistance in the housefly Resistance to Isolan (1-isopropyl-3-methyl-5-pyrazolyl dimethylcarbamate) in carbamate-selected strains is inherited as a partially dominant major single factor, without sex linkage or appreciable cytoplasmic influence. Inclusion of piperonyl butoxide as a synergist with Sevin (1-naphthyl methylcarbamate), Zectran (4-dimethylamino-3,5-xylyl methylcarbamate), or m-isopropylphenyl methylcarbamate also produced evidence of monofactorial inheritance.In contrast, resistance to Isolan and to a combination of Sevin and piperonyl butoxide in a ronnel-selected strain is inherited in a pattern suggestive of a polygenic system.The results obtained are discussed in the light of previously established data on the rate of development, stability and regression of carbamate-resistance.