Colonization and Various Parameters Affecting Egg Hatch and Development of the Old Balara Strain (Philippines), Aedes aegypti

Abstract

Aedes aegypti strain obtained from field collections in Old Balara, Quezon City, Philippines was colonized at the Department of Science and Technology–Philippine Nuclear Research Institute (DOST-PNRI) laboratory. The number of eggs and their weight followed a significant linear relationship for the Ae. aegypti colony. Storing the hatching solution composed of nutrient broth (NB) and brewer’s yeast (BY) longer for at least 16 h hatched the mosquito fastest within 4h. Among the different ages tested, 2-wk-old eggs had the highest hatch rate. After collecting eggs from rearing cages, eggs for 6 wk still produced a high hatch rate and pupal recovery. Mosquito eggs can be effectively stored in cup and ziplock with a hatch rate of at least 77% on the third week, and at least 71% on the fourth week. Eggs stored in plastic cups can be best stored at 17–20 °C in the incubator 4 wk without a decrease in hatch rate. Eggs at these temperatures still produced about 50% egg hatch even until 3 mo.