Laboratory Colonization of Aedes japonicus japonicus (Diptera: Culicidae) Collected in Narita, Japan and the Biological Properties of the Established Colony

Abstract

A laboratory colony of the mosquito Aedes japonicus japonicus, which has recently invaded the United States and is recognized as a highly competent vector of West Nile virus, was established from larvae collected in Narita, Japan. The mosquitoes were maintained with induced insemination, blood-feeding on humans, and oviposition in water provided from the original collection site during the first few generations, then the colony was transferred to a large cage (40 × 40 × 100 cm in height) and adapted to conditions in which specimens were allowed to mate freely. White mice were provided as the blood source, and deionized water was available for oviposition. Approximately 185 eggs, most of which were tolerant to desiccation for at least 1 month, with some surviving for up to 2.5 months, were obtained per female following a single blood-feeding. The rate of successful emergence was nearly 90%, although this rate decreased significantly at high larval densities. The colony has been maintained for 5 years, and developmental profiles of the species have been obtained during that time.