Effect of different food and sugar sources on the larval biology and adult longevity of Anopheles darlingi (Diptera: Culicidae)

Abstract

Anopheles darlingi is the main vector of the disease in the Amazon, and several studies on its ecology and behavior have been conducted. Although the basic nutritional requirements of insects are well known, quantitative needs with respect to food components and their balance vary among insect species; therefore, such information is needed in order to improve insect rearing for mass production. The present work evaluated the effect of different animal diets on larval biology and the utilization of different sugar sources in An. darlingi adults. First instar larvae obtained from wild-captured mosquitoes were reared in plastic trays containing 1 L of water and fed daily according to their larval instar stage with different commercial diets for fish, reptiles, and dogs, as well as a manipulated diet including Macapo. Larval mortality was recorded daily, and development time was calculated as the time required for 50% of the larvae to reach the last larval instar. Pupae and adults produced from larvae fed with different animal diets were also counted daily. Adults were fed with 10% sugar solutions of honey, sucrose, and sugar cane molasses, and longevity was recorded. Larval mortality was reduced for larvae feeding on fish food (higher protein content) compared to those fed with dog food (lower protein content) in later instars; the first and third instars presented a higher mortality than other instars, regardless of the food provided. Larval development time was reduced in larvae fed with fish food compared with dog food. The average daily production of pupae and adults were significantly higher in the treatment using fish food than in all other diet treatments. In general, adults from larvae fed on fish food and those that ingested honey as an adult sugar source lived longer than those reared on other treatments. Fish food, i.e., Tetramin Tropical Flakes, for larvae and honey, as a carbohydrate source for adults, seem to better support the rearing of Anopheles darlingi under our experimental conditions.