A Standardized Rearing Procedure for Aedes Aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae): Implications for Laboratory-Based Vector Competence and Control Studies Publisher



Asgarian T S ; Moosa Kazemi S H ; Enayati A ; Oshaghi M A ; Sedaghat M M
Source: Journal of Arthropod-Borne Diseases Published:2026

Abstract

Background: Aedes aegypti is a major vector of numerous arboviruses, including dengue, Zika, chikungunya and yellow fever. This study aimed to establish a standardized and practical procedure for maintaining and propagating an Ae. aegypti colony under controlled insectary conditions in Bandar Abbas, Iran. Methods: Environmental parameters were routinely monitored. Larvae were reared with an appropriate diet under a regular feeding schedule, while adult mosquitoes were provided with a sucrose solution and blood meals. The correlation between the duration of egg paper drying and the hatching percentage was evaluated. Hatching rates were compared across three media: cooled boiled water, yeast and larval food. Results: A strong negative correlation was observed between drying duration and hatching percentage, with a Pearson correlation of −0.818 (p< 0.001). Gradual drying of egg papers over a period of two days resulted in a hatching rate of over 90% without any hatching stimulant. No significant differences in hatching rates were found among the three media, as indicated by F= 0.601 (p= 0.578). In a novel observation, female mosquitoes were found to deposit approximately 20−30% of their eggs directly on the water surface inside ovitraps under insectary conditions in Iran. Conclusion: This study provides a reliable, low-cost model for rearing Ae. aegypti in research insectaries and facilitates future studies on vector control. Copyright © 2026 The Authors.