# Current Knowledge on Insecticide Resistance in Aedes albopictus (Skuse, 1894) in Latin America and the Caribbean Nations

## TL;DR

This review summarizes what is known about insecticide resistance in the Asian tiger mosquito in Latin America and the Caribbean, highlighting gaps in knowledge and the need for better monitoring.

## Contribution

The study compiles and analyzes the current evidence on insecticide resistance in Aedes albopictus in the region, emphasizing the uneven distribution of data and the need for standardized surveillance.

## Key findings

- Insecticide resistance in Aedes albopictus is unevenly reported, with most data from Brazil and Mexico.
- Organophosphates are the most studied insecticides, followed by pyrethroids and carbamates.
- Metabolic resistance mechanisms are most commonly implicated in Aedes albopictus populations.

## Abstract

The mosquito Aedes albopictus, also known as the Asian tiger mosquito, has become increasingly common in many countries in Latin America and the Caribbean and can be the vector of several pathogens, such as dengue, chikungunya, and Zika viruses. As health authorities often rely on chemical insecticides to control mosquitoes, little is known about how this mosquito responds to these products in this region. In this review, we gathered and examined studies from multiple countries to provide an overview of the current knowledge on insecticide susceptibility in this species. The results are unevenly distributed and suggest that some mosquito populations are starting to survive treatments that were once fully effective, with most information coming from Brazil and Mexico, while large parts of the region remain poorly studied. This lack of information may hinder effective mosquito control and highlights the need for broader and more systematic monitoring efforts so that control actions can be better planned and adapted, helping protect communities from mosquito-borne diseases.

Aedes albopictus is an important vector of several arboviruses and has expanded its distribution throughout Latin America and the Caribbean in recent decades. Despite its increasing epidemiological relevance, data on insecticide resistance in this region remain limited compared to Aedes aegypti. This review compiled and analyzed the published evidence on this topic across the region. A literature search was conducted in PubMed, SciELO, Google Scholar, LILACS, and DOAJ, using combinations of the terms “insecticide resistance” or “insecticide susceptibility” plus “Aedes albopictus”, and the names of all countries recognized by the United Nations as part of the region. Studies published until May 2025 were considered, regardless of the publication year. Following the core PRISMA principles adapted for this review, 33 studies were identified, of which 17 met the inclusion criteria. Results indicate recurrent but uneven reports of resistance, with organophosphates being the most frequently evaluated insecticide (33.9%), followed by pyrethroids (27.7%) and carbamates (10.8%), and metabolic mechanisms being the most implicated. Evidence suggests that control actions focused on Ae. aegypti may also impose selective pressure over Ae. albopictus. Overall, the resistance found on Ae. albopictus emphasizes the need for expanded and standardized surveillance to support effective vector control across the Americas.