Ffrench-Constant_1999_Insect.Biochem.Mol.Biol_29_397

Recent advances in the molecular genetics of insecticide resistance have identified the point mutations associated with target site insensitivity in the genes encoding the three major insecticide targets: the Rdl GABA receptor, tthe para voltage gated sodium channel and insect acetylcholinesterase. However central questions relating to the origin, selection and fitness of these mutations in natural populations remain. This review examines the extent to which we understand how a specific subset of potential resistance associated mutations are selected, how often they may arise and/or recombine, and whether we can explain any potential fitness disadvantages based on our knowledge of the molecular mechanisms of resistance involved.