Optimizing Aedes albopictus rearing: effects of insect- and bacteria-based larval diets on immature and adult performance
Abstract Mass production of Aedes albopictus for Sterile Insect Technique (SIT) requires cost-effective and nutritionally balanced larval diets to ensure high survival, optimal development and competitive adult fitness. This study evaluates the potential of insect-derived meals and dead autoclaved b...
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Nature Portfolio
2025-07-01
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-04825-4 |
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| author | Eleni C. Savvidou Georgios A. Kyritsis Evangelia D. Mpakovasili Stefania P. Kaltsou Venetia Ch. Karathanasi Antonios A. Augustinos George Tsiamis Christos I. Rumbos Christos G. Athanassiou Antonios Michaelakis Nikos T. Papadopoulos |
| author_facet | Eleni C. Savvidou Georgios A. Kyritsis Evangelia D. Mpakovasili Stefania P. Kaltsou Venetia Ch. Karathanasi Antonios A. Augustinos George Tsiamis Christos I. Rumbos Christos G. Athanassiou Antonios Michaelakis Nikos T. Papadopoulos |
| author_sort | Eleni C. Savvidou |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Mass production of Aedes albopictus for Sterile Insect Technique (SIT) requires cost-effective and nutritionally balanced larval diets to ensure high survival, optimal development and competitive adult fitness. This study evaluates the potential of insect-derived meals and dead autoclaved bacteria as the main protein sources in mosquito larval diets. Four isoproteinic diets were studied, each one incorporating different protein sources: Brewer’s yeast (CAA), Tenebrio molitor meal (UTH-YM), Hermetia illucens meal (UTH-BSF) and Enterobacter spp. dry biomass (UTH-ENT). Results demonstrated immature survival higher than 78% for all diets. Developmental duration varied significantly across diets. The UTH-ENT diet extended larval development and conferred greater wing length. The highest protandry percentage was observed in the CAA diet, facilitating sex separation for SIT implementation. Adult survival over 20 days varied significantly among diets but not sexes. Males from the UTH-BSF diet exhibited the highest survival rate, while females from UTH-ENT diet showed the shortest lifespan. Given the rising costs and the variability in the quality of brewer’s yeast, our findings support the integration of insect-based diets as sustainable protein source alternatives for Ae. albopictus mass-rearing. Further research should refine larval diet formulations considering that combining different protein sources may enhance rearing success, to facilitate SIT efficiency and sustainable mosquito suppression. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-0e3c2df0bef64d9a8b5c327d7e796451 |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2045-2322 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-07-01 |
| publisher | Nature Portfolio |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Scientific Reports |
| spelling | doaj-art-0e3c2df0bef64d9a8b5c327d7e7964512025-08-20T03:03:37ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-07-0115111210.1038/s41598-025-04825-4Optimizing Aedes albopictus rearing: effects of insect- and bacteria-based larval diets on immature and adult performanceEleni C. Savvidou0Georgios A. Kyritsis1Evangelia D. Mpakovasili2Stefania P. Kaltsou3Venetia Ch. Karathanasi4Antonios A. Augustinos5George Tsiamis6Christos I. Rumbos7Christos G. Athanassiou8Antonios Michaelakis9Nikos T. Papadopoulos10Department of Agriculture, Crop Production and Rural Environment Laboratory of Entomology and Agricultural Zoology, University of ThessalyDepartment of Agriculture, Crop Production and Rural Environment Laboratory of Entomology and Agricultural Zoology, University of ThessalyDepartment of Agriculture, Crop Production and Rural Environment Laboratory of Entomology and Agricultural Zoology, University of ThessalyDepartment of Agriculture, Crop Production and Rural Environment Laboratory of Entomology and Agricultural Zoology, University of ThessalyDepartment of Plant Protection Patras, Institute of Industrial and Forage Crops, Hellenic Agricultural Organization ‘DIMITRA’Department of Plant Protection Patras, Institute of Industrial and Forage Crops, Hellenic Agricultural Organization ‘DIMITRA’Laboratory of Systems Microbiology and Applied Genomics, Department of Sustainable Agriculture, University of PatrasDepartment of Agriculture, School of Agricultural Sciences, University of PatrasDepartment of Agriculture, Crop Production and Rural Environment Laboratory of Entomology and Agricultural Zoology, University of ThessalyLaboratory of Insects & Parasites of Medical Importance, Scientific Directorate of Entomology and Agricultural Zoology, Benaki Phytopathological InstituteDepartment of Agriculture, Crop Production and Rural Environment Laboratory of Entomology and Agricultural Zoology, University of ThessalyAbstract Mass production of Aedes albopictus for Sterile Insect Technique (SIT) requires cost-effective and nutritionally balanced larval diets to ensure high survival, optimal development and competitive adult fitness. This study evaluates the potential of insect-derived meals and dead autoclaved bacteria as the main protein sources in mosquito larval diets. Four isoproteinic diets were studied, each one incorporating different protein sources: Brewer’s yeast (CAA), Tenebrio molitor meal (UTH-YM), Hermetia illucens meal (UTH-BSF) and Enterobacter spp. dry biomass (UTH-ENT). Results demonstrated immature survival higher than 78% for all diets. Developmental duration varied significantly across diets. The UTH-ENT diet extended larval development and conferred greater wing length. The highest protandry percentage was observed in the CAA diet, facilitating sex separation for SIT implementation. Adult survival over 20 days varied significantly among diets but not sexes. Males from the UTH-BSF diet exhibited the highest survival rate, while females from UTH-ENT diet showed the shortest lifespan. Given the rising costs and the variability in the quality of brewer’s yeast, our findings support the integration of insect-based diets as sustainable protein source alternatives for Ae. albopictus mass-rearing. Further research should refine larval diet formulations considering that combining different protein sources may enhance rearing success, to facilitate SIT efficiency and sustainable mosquito suppression.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-04825-4MosquitoesIsoproteinic dietsInsect mealsEnterobacter spp.Sterile insect technique (SIT) |
| spellingShingle | Eleni C. Savvidou Georgios A. Kyritsis Evangelia D. Mpakovasili Stefania P. Kaltsou Venetia Ch. Karathanasi Antonios A. Augustinos George Tsiamis Christos I. Rumbos Christos G. Athanassiou Antonios Michaelakis Nikos T. Papadopoulos Optimizing Aedes albopictus rearing: effects of insect- and bacteria-based larval diets on immature and adult performance Scientific Reports Mosquitoes Isoproteinic diets Insect meals Enterobacter spp. Sterile insect technique (SIT) |
| title | Optimizing Aedes albopictus rearing: effects of insect- and bacteria-based larval diets on immature and adult performance |
| title_full | Optimizing Aedes albopictus rearing: effects of insect- and bacteria-based larval diets on immature and adult performance |
| title_fullStr | Optimizing Aedes albopictus rearing: effects of insect- and bacteria-based larval diets on immature and adult performance |
| title_full_unstemmed | Optimizing Aedes albopictus rearing: effects of insect- and bacteria-based larval diets on immature and adult performance |
| title_short | Optimizing Aedes albopictus rearing: effects of insect- and bacteria-based larval diets on immature and adult performance |
| title_sort | optimizing aedes albopictus rearing effects of insect and bacteria based larval diets on immature and adult performance |
| topic | Mosquitoes Isoproteinic diets Insect meals Enterobacter spp. Sterile insect technique (SIT) |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-04825-4 |
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