Created
Oct 13, 2023 12:53 AM
Status
Complete
Category
Mosquitoes
Schedule
Day | Task |
0 | Hatch eggs, transfer to pan |
1-7 | Monitor and feed larvae |
7 | prepare emergence jars |
8-10 | separate and transfer pupae to jars |
10-15 | observe adult emergence |
Photo Gallery
Experiments
Life Cycle
Materials
- 300 mL autoclaved, distilled water
- 500 mL beaker (2)
- transfer pipettes
- ground fish food
- 9 in x 13 in metal pan
- glass pane
- distilled water (enough to fill pan)
- pupae scoop/ widened transfer pipette
- cotton balls
- sucrose water
- emergence jars
- ~200 mL distilled water
- glass petri dishes
Food Slurry
- mix ~0.5 tsp fish food with enough water to create liquid slurry
- drop into pan 2x a day for larvae
Panning Tips
- autoclave water at least 1 day prior to hatching— takes a while to cool down
- suck up some distilled water before larvae to prevent them from sticking to the side of the pipette
- pan larvae as soon as possible (at least 30 min- 1 hour after hatching)
Pupae Transfer Tips
- clear tool in between to avoid taking eggs/ larvae/ molts/ food
- males pupate 1-2 days before females
- don’t squish them
Steps Extended
Day 0: Hatching and Panning
- Cut off desired egg amount (1 sheet is ~1500 eggs, 1 pan can hold ~300)
- Submerge egg sheet in flask with (autoclaved) distilled water, soak for 1-4 hours until larvae hatch
- Pour larvae into separate glass beaker, count out 300 using transfer pipette into cup (10 at a time)
- Prepare larvae pan: fill 1/2 with distilled water, pour 300 larvae into pan
- Feed larvae a few drops of food slurry, cover pan with glass pane (tape label with date and time)
Day 1-8: Monitoring and Feeding Larvae
- Drop in food slurry 2x a day
- Monitor growth: will molt through 4 larval stages (instars)
- Check pupae population (>75% to begin transfer)
Day 8-14: Transferring Pupae to Emergence Jars
- Fill bottom of emergence jars with 1in of distilled water
- use widened transfer pipette or scoop to move pupae from pan to emergence jar
- label jar with date and number of pupae transferred (max: 50 pupae)
- soak cotton ball with sugar water, place on top of screen, cover with petri dish
- re-soak cotton ball 1x per day until finished with adults
Day 0
Day 3
Day 5
Day 7
Day 8
Day 9
Day 10
Day 12