Cuticle-Mediated Insecticide Resistance in Aedes, Anopheles, and Culex Mosquitoes: A Systematic Review

Control of vector mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae), particularly species belonging to the genera Aedes, Anopheles, and Culex, remains essential to limit the transmission of vector-borne diseases, but is made more difficult by the increasing level of resistance to insecticides. Among the mechanisms involved, the role of the mosquito’s cuticle is receiving increasing attention. A systematic literature review was conducted in PubMed and reported in accordance with the PRISMA 2020 guidelines, resulting in the inclusion of 56 studies specifically addressing cuticle-associated insecticide resistance in mosquitoes. Available data indicate that cuticular resistance is not based on a single mechanism, but rather on various structural and biochemical modifications that can alter insecticide penetration and interact with other resistance pathways. Although several cuticle-related characteristics have been proposed as potential markers of resistance, their relevance depends on mosquito species, developmental stages, populations, and insecticides, underscoring the need for integrated approaches that combine structural, molecular, chemical, and functional analyses. Beyond resistance, the cuticle and its exuviae also provide valuable biological information that can facilitate mosquito identification and vector surveillance. Overall, a better understanding of the properties of the mosquito cuticle could improve the characterization of the resistance while expanding the use of cuticle-derived information in medical entomology.