Efficacy of Blood Sources and Artificial Blood Feeding Methods in Rearing of (Diptera: Culicidae) for Sterile Insect Technique and Incompatible Insect Technique Approaches in Sri Lanka.

INTRODUCTION

Selection of the artificial membrane feeding technique and blood meal source has been recognized as key considerations in mass rearing of vectors.

METHODOLOGY

Artificial membrane feeding techniques, namely, glass plate, metal plate, and Hemotek membrane feeding method, and three blood sources (human, cattle, and chicken) were evaluated based on feeding rates, fecundity, and hatching rates of . Significance in the variations among blood feeding was investigated by one-way ANOVA, cluster analysis of variance (ANOSIM), and principal coordinates (PCO) analysis.

RESULTS

Feeding rates of significantly differed among the membrane feeding techniques as suggested by one-way ANOVA ( < 0.05). The metal plate method was identified as the most efficient and cost-effective feeding technique. Blood feeding rate of was higher with human blood followed by cattle and chicken blood, respectively. However, no significant difference was observed from the mosquitoes fed with cattle and human blood, in terms of fecundity, oviposition rate, and fertility as suggested by one-way ANOVA ( > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Metal plate method could be recommended as the most effective membrane feeding technique for mass rearing of , due to its high feeding rate and cost effectiveness. Cattle blood could be recommended for mass rearing .