Data from: Assessing permethrin susceptibility of field-collected biting midges (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) in Florida and evidence for resistance evolution using laboratory selections

Biting midges (<i>Culicoides</i> spp.) are small blood-feeding insects that pose a significant threat to livestock and wildlife due to their role in transmitting serious viral diseases such as bluetongue virus, epizootic hemorrhagic disease virus, and vesicular stomatitis virus. Control of these pests has relied heavily on insecticide treatments which are applied directly to animals, around premises, or to barriers like mesh or fabric. However, little is known about how effective specific insecticides are against local midge species or how likely these insects are to develop resistance. To address this gap, we tested the efficacy of permethrin, a commonly used insecticide, on both lab-reared and wild midges in Florida. Results showed that lab-reared midges were significantly more tolerant than their wild counterparts, and wild midges were more susceptible than mosquitoes to permethrin sprayed from the ground. However, many midge species occupy forest canopies, which likely limits exposure to ground-level applications. Importantly, the study found that biting midges can develop significant resistance to permethrin in just two generations, raising concerns about long-term reliance on this control strategy. These findings mark the first documented evidence of potential insecticide resistance in <i>Culicoides</i> spp., underscoring the need for targeted, species-specific management strategies to better control midge populations and reduce disease transmission risks.