Space optimizing methods for laboratory rearing of Aedes aegypti.

Methods used to rear Aedes aegypti larvae were modified to maximize production under limited space requirements. Traditionally, 150 larvae were reared in 25 x 42 x 5-cm pans containing 1 liter of water. It was noticed, however, that the larvae congregated during development and did not utilize the entire rearing environment. Two new rearing methods were investigated to partition larval populations within the rearing space and thus increase rearing efficiency. The 2 methods separated groups of 50 larvae into each of either six 500-ml cylindrical cups or twelve 400-ml rectangular bins, each containing approximately 450 or 400 ml of water, respectively, and occupying approximately the same amount of shelf space as the 25 x 42 cm pans. The cup and bin protocols multiplied rearing potential by 2 and 4, respectively, under the same space constraints. A preliminary experiment was conducted to compare larval development and adult body size (using wing length as a surrogate) of mosquitoes reared in partitioned containers with those reared in the traditional open pan method. Results indicated that the pan and bin partition methods produced adults that were significantly larger than pan-reared adults, yet develop to 4th stage at a significantly slower and less synchronized rate.