Biological Fitness Cost, Demographic Growth Characteristics, and Resistance Mechanism in Alpha-Cypermethrin-Resistant Musca domestica (Diptera: Muscidae)

SIMPLE SUMMARY: The house fly is a pest of animals and humans that has developed resistance to alpha-cypermethrin, a commonly used pyrethroid insecticide used to control medically important pests in Saudi Arabia. This study demonstrated that the alpha-cypermethrin selected strain of house fly had a 405.93-fold increase in resistance to alpha-cypermethrin compared with the alpha-cypermethrin–susceptible strain; the increased resistance was attributed to the presence of glutathione S-transferases, specific esterases, and cytochrome P450 monooxygenases. The alpha-cypermethrin resistant strain exhibited lower relative fitness (0.50), longevity, survival rate, life expectancy, reproductive values, intrinsic rate of increase, net reproductive rate, fecundity, maternity, and finite rate of increase, along with shorter larval, female preadult, and adult durations than the susceptible strain. These results demonstrated that alpha-cypermethrin resistance may pose fitness costs in house flies. These findings will aid in the development of rational house fly control methods. ABSTRACT: Musca domestica L., a pest of animals and humans, has developed resistance to alpha-cypermethrin, a pyrethroid insecticide commonly used to control medically important pests in many countries, including Saudi Arabia. We investigated the mechanism underlying the development of alpha-cypermethrin resistance and life history characteristics of alpha-cypermethrin–susceptible (Alpha-SS) and alpha-cypermethrin-resistant (Alpha-RS) M. domestica using the age-stage, two-sex life table theory, which is crucial for developing a future rational management strategy and minimizing the negative effects of alpha-cypermethrin on the environment. Our results showed that Alpha-RS M. domestica had a 405.93-fold increase in resistance to alpha-cypermethrin relative to Alpha-SS M. domestica. This increase in the resistance toward insecticide was attributed to metabolic enzymes, such as glutathione S-transferases, specific esterases, and cytochrome P450 monooxygenases. Furthermore, Alpha-RS M. domestica exhibited lower relative fitness (0.50), longevity, survival rate, life expectancy, reproductive values, intrinsic rate of increase, net reproductive rate, fecundity, maternity, and finite rate of increase, along with shorter larval, female preadult, and adult durations than Alpha-SS M. domestica, indicating fitness costs associated with most parameters. However, no significant differences were found between the strains in the following parameters: egg, pupa, and male preadult durations; adult preoviposition, total preoviposition, and oviposition periods; female ratio; and total generation time. Additionally, Alpha-RS M. domestica had a markedly lower intrinsic rate of increase, net reproductive rate, and finite rate of increase than Alpha-SS M. domestica. The results of this study suggest that alpha-cypermethrin resistance may lead to dominant fitness costs in M. domestica. Overall, these findings will aid in the development of rational control strategies for M. domestica as well as help to reduce pesticide pollution.