The Housefly Musca domestica: Evolution of Insecticide Resistance in Russia (Literature Review)

When studying insect resistance to insecticides, it is important to use standard, susceptible laboratory cultures as a reference. Such a culture is the S-NIID housefly culture, reared in the insectary of the Institute of Disinfection for over 30 years. The S-NIID culture exhibits similar levels of insecticide sensitivity to other susceptible cultures maintained in scientific laboratories worldwide, such as SSS, WHO, Perm-S, and others. This retrospective study describes the resistance to housefly populations in Russia to active ingredients from various chemical groups. Data on housefly resistance to organochlorine and organophosphorus compounds, pyrethroids, neonicotinoids, and phenylpyrazoles applied topically are presented. A mosaic pattern of resistance development is confirmed, linked not to the geographic location of insect collection points, but to the history of insecticide use at specific sites. An increase in resistance to pyrethroids, phenylpyrazoles, and neonicotinoids, a decrease in resistance to organophosphorus compounds were observed in the European part of Russia. Resistance to acetamiprid, tolerance, and high resistance to pyrethroids and other compounds was observed in the Tyumen region. The dynamics of resistance levels reflect the intensity of application of a particular group of insecticides during a given time period.

Conclusion. Housefly populations resistant to a number of insecticides has been identified in various regions of Russia. Rotation of active ingredients based on their mechanisms of action on insects is recommended.

Study limitations. This study aims to retrospectively evaluate housefly resistance to insecticides and is of interest to specialists involved in disinfection and pest control.

Contributions:
Eremina O.Yu. — selection of literature and writing the first version of the article, approval of the final version of the article, responsibility for the integrity of all parts of the article;
Olifer V.V. — text editing, addition and approval of the final version of the article, responsibility for the integrity of all parts of the article.
All co-authors — conducted entomological and toxicological studies, wrote and edited the text, approved the final version of the article, and are responsible for the integrity of all parts of the article.

Funding source. This study was not supported by any external sources of funding.

Conflict of interest. The authors declare no apparent or potential conflicts of interest related to the publication of this article.

Received: 10.03.2026 / Accepted: 21.07.2026 / Published: 10.08.2026

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