The Effect of SkitoSnack, an Artificial Blood Meal Replacement, on Aedes aegypti Life History Traits and Gut Microbiota

摘要: Public health research and vector control frequently require the rearing of large numbers mosquitoes. All target mosquito species are anautogenous, meaning that females vertebrate blood for egg production. Vertebrate blood, however, is costly, with a short shelf life. To overcome these constraints, we have developed SkitoSnack, an artificial meal replacement Aedes aegypti, dengue, Zika chikungunya virus. SkitoSnack contains bovine serum albumin hemoglobin as protein source well yolk bicarbonate buffer. SkitoSnack-raised had comparable life history traits blood-raised females. Mosquitoes reared from SkitoSnack-fed similar levels infection dissemination when orally challenged dengue virus type 2 (DENV-2) significantly lower DENV-4. When was used vehicle DENV-2 delivery, were equally susceptible. The midgut microbiota differed between mosquitoes fed on blood. By 20 generations exclusively proven this diet can replace in mass rearing.