Jurnal Entomologi Indonesia
Vol 23 No 2 (2026): July

Detection of cuticle thickening in pyrethroid-resistant Aedes aegypti (Linnaeus) from West Sumatra, Indonesia

Resti Rahayu (Department of Biology, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Universitas Andalas, Limau Manis, Pauh, Padang 25163, West Sumatra, Indonesia)
Mairawita Mairawita (Department of Biology, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Universitas Andalas, Limau Manis, Pauh, Padang 25163, West Sumatra, Indonesia)
Risa Ukhti Muslima (Department of Biology, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Universitas Andalas, Limau Manis, Pauh, Padang 25163, West Sumatra, Indonesia)



Article Info

Publish Date
15 Sep 2026

Abstract

Aedes aegypti (Linnaeus) is the primary vector of dengue virus. Prolonged and widespread use of insecticides, particularly pyrethroids for household vector control, has led to increasing insecticide resistance in Ae. aegypti populations. Cuticle thickening has been reported as a resistance mechanism, yet evidence for this mechanism in Ae. aegypti from Indonesia is still limited. This study aimed to investigate cuticle thickening in pyrethroid-resistant Ae. aegypti populations from Gunung Pangilun Village, Padang City, West Sumatra, Indonesia. Mosquito samples were collected using egg traps (ovitraps) and reared until the adult stage. Susceptible and resistant populations were determined by a WHO-based bioassay with impregnated paper 0.025% alpha-cypermethrin, collecting 10 individuals per group, and cuticle thickness was measured at the mid-tibia using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results found that cuticle thickness in the resistant group was 1.28-fold thicker than that in the susceptible group. This study suggests the involvement of cuticular penetration resistance, which may reduce the efficacy of contact insecticides such as pyrethroids, as well as provides initial evidence supporting cuticle thickening in pyrethroid-resistant Ae. aegypti from Indonesia. These findings emphasize the need to strengthen resistance management strategies, insecticide rotation, and integrated vector control approaches to reduce further increases in resistance.

Copyrights © 2026






Journal Info

Abbrev

jei

Publisher

Subject

Agriculture, Biological Sciences & Forestry Biochemistry, Genetics & Molecular Biology

Description

Jurnal Entomologi Indonesia (JEI) publishes original research papers and short communications that covers the basic and applied aspect of insects and mites or other arthropods in agriculture, forestry, human and animal health, and natural resources and environmental management. The journal is ...