Pyrethroid insecticide resistance kdr gene in the house fly, Musca domestica (Diptera: Muscidae), in the United Arab Emirates

The house fly, Musca domestica L., is a very important insect because of its role as a vector of several human, livestock, and poultry diseases. Different groups of insecticides, including the pyrethroids, are used to control house flies. The objective of the current study was to conduct a survey of the kdr insecticide resistance gene in the house fly population in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Flies were collected from five locations (Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Fujairah, Ajman, and Ras Al-Khaymah). Genomic DNA was extracted and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of specific allele (PASA) was performed. The maximum percentage (70%) of homozygous genotype (kdr/kdr) occurred at Ajman, followed by Dubai (59.5%), and the minimum percentage occurred at Ras Al-Khaymah (14.3%). Resistant insects of the genotype kdr/kdr were detected in all of the tested house fly populations. Ajman and Fujairah house fly populations were in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. The resistance kdr allele was found at a high frequency (0.54-0.8) at all locations except at Ras Al-Khaymah (0.21). Together, this study demonstrated that the pyrethroid insecticide resistance kdr allele was found in UAE house fly populations, strongly suggesting that a countrywide pyrethroid insecticide resistance management program needs to be implemented.