What is the primary cause of mosquito resistance to pesticides?

The primary cause of mosquito resistance to pesticides is overuse and misuse of chemical treatments. When pesticides are applied frequently and inappropriately, it creates a selective pressure on mosquito populations. Those individuals that have or develop resistance to the chemicals are more likely to survive and reproduce, leading to a population that is increasingly resistant over time. This cycle reinforces the resistance as the surviving mosquitoes pass on their traits to future generations.

While natural selection also plays a role in this process, it is the human-driven factors of pesticide application that exacerbate the issue. Inappropriate usage, such as applying the same pesticide repeatedly without rotation or using sub-lethal doses, can contribute significantly to the development of resistance. Increased rainfall affects mosquito populations in other ways, such as breeding cycles and habitat availability, but it does not directly cause resistance to pesticides. Genetic modification might relate to resistance in a more controlled scientific setting, but it is not a primary driver in the context of general pesticide resistance as seen in widespread mosquito populations.