Purification and characterization of a carboxylesterase involved in malathion-specific resistance from Tribolium castaneum (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae).

Specific resistance to malathion in a strain of Tribolium castaneum is due to a 44-fold increase in malathion carboxylesterase (MCE) activity relative to a susceptible strain, whereas non-specific esterase levels are slightly lower. Unlike the overproduced esterase of some mosquito and aphid species, MCE in Tribolium castaneum accounts for only a small fraction (0.033-0.

Larvicidal properties of decomposed leaf litter in the subalpine mosquito breeding sites.

The larvicidal properties of the dietary leaf litter originating from the vegetation surrounding the subalpine mosquito breeding sites were investigated by using 10-month decomposed alder leaf litter against different field collections of culicine taxa of various ecological origin (Aedes cantans, Aedes caspius, Aedes cataphylla, Aedes detritus, Aedes punctor, Aedes pullatus, Aedes rusticus, Anopheles claviger, Culex hortensis, Culex pipiens, Culiseta morsitans). Larvae originating from sites with polyphenol-poor vegetation appeared more sensitive to ingested leaf litter than those originating from sites with polyphenol-rich vegetation. Within a given taxon (e.