Blood Source and Anesthetics Effects on the Maintenance of <i>Anopheles darlingi</i> in the Lab-Rearing Condition

<i>Anopheles darlingi</i> mosquitoes are the main malaria vectors in the Amazon region and play a significant role in the high transmission cycle of <i>Plasmodium vivax</i>, particularly in areas undergoing degradation of the Amazon. Establishing an <i>An. darlingi</...

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Main Authors: José Daniel Costa Pontual, Natália Vitória Coelho, Najara Akira Costa dos Santos, Alessandra da Silva Bastos, Jéssica Evangelista Araújo, Alice Oliveira Andrade, Jansen Fernandes Medeiros, Maisa da Silva Araujo
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-03-01
Series:Insects
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4450/16/3/281
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author José Daniel Costa Pontual
Natália Vitória Coelho
Najara Akira Costa dos Santos
Alessandra da Silva Bastos
Jéssica Evangelista Araújo
Alice Oliveira Andrade
Jansen Fernandes Medeiros
Maisa da Silva Araujo
author_facet José Daniel Costa Pontual
Natália Vitória Coelho
Najara Akira Costa dos Santos
Alessandra da Silva Bastos
Jéssica Evangelista Araújo
Alice Oliveira Andrade
Jansen Fernandes Medeiros
Maisa da Silva Araujo
author_sort José Daniel Costa Pontual
collection DOAJ
description <i>Anopheles darlingi</i> mosquitoes are the main malaria vectors in the Amazon region and play a significant role in the high transmission cycle of <i>Plasmodium vivax</i>, particularly in areas undergoing degradation of the Amazon. Establishing an <i>An. darlingi</i> colony under laboratory conditions allows for critical studies on this vector, including insecticide resistance, vector competence, and the development of new tools for controlling vivax malaria. However, the establishment of mass-rearing mosquito colonies has proven challenging, with success being heavily dependent on supporting their reproduction. A key factor in this process is finding the most efficient blood source for feeding. Here, we evaluated the reproductive potential of <i>An. darlingi</i> using different blood feeding methods and sources. First, we assessed the effect of anesthesia on reproductive potential by comparing anesthetized mosquitoes with those that were physically restrained. Next, we assessed the best blood source using both direct and indirect blood feeding methods, the latter involving an artificial feeding system. The blood sources tested included from rabbits, chickens, mice, bovines, and humans. In the anesthesia tests, no significant differences in the evaluated biological parameters were observed between anesthetized or non-anesthetized groups. Similarly, no significant differences were detected in the biological parameters assessed for each blood source, regardless of whether the feeding was direct or indirect. Because all blood sources proved effective, the practicality of obtaining and maintaining blood becomes a crucial factor. In this regard, bovine blood emerged as an effective and practical alternative for maintaining an <i>An. darlingi</i> colony under laboratory conditions.
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spelling doaj-art-a03dcd2858f34292819b2e95002661932025-08-20T02:42:34ZengMDPI AGInsects2075-44502025-03-0116328110.3390/insects16030281Blood Source and Anesthetics Effects on the Maintenance of <i>Anopheles darlingi</i> in the Lab-Rearing ConditionJosé Daniel Costa Pontual0Natália Vitória Coelho1Najara Akira Costa dos Santos2Alessandra da Silva Bastos3Jéssica Evangelista Araújo4Alice Oliveira Andrade5Jansen Fernandes Medeiros6Maisa da Silva Araujo7Plataforma de Produção e Infecção de Vetores da Malária (PIVEM), Laboratório de Entomologia, Fiocruz Rondônia, Porto Velho 76812-245, RO, BrazilPrograma de Pós-Graduação em Biologia Experimental, Fundação Universidade Federal de Rondônia, Fiocruz Rondônia, Porto Velho 76812-245, RO, BrazilPlataforma de Produção e Infecção de Vetores da Malária (PIVEM), Laboratório de Entomologia, Fiocruz Rondônia, Porto Velho 76812-245, RO, BrazilPlataforma de Produção e Infecção de Vetores da Malária (PIVEM), Laboratório de Entomologia, Fiocruz Rondônia, Porto Velho 76812-245, RO, BrazilPlataforma de Produção e Infecção de Vetores da Malária (PIVEM), Laboratório de Entomologia, Fiocruz Rondônia, Porto Velho 76812-245, RO, BrazilPlataforma de Produção e Infecção de Vetores da Malária (PIVEM), Laboratório de Entomologia, Fiocruz Rondônia, Porto Velho 76812-245, RO, BrazilPlataforma de Produção e Infecção de Vetores da Malária (PIVEM), Laboratório de Entomologia, Fiocruz Rondônia, Porto Velho 76812-245, RO, BrazilPlataforma de Produção e Infecção de Vetores da Malária (PIVEM), Laboratório de Entomologia, Fiocruz Rondônia, Porto Velho 76812-245, RO, Brazil<i>Anopheles darlingi</i> mosquitoes are the main malaria vectors in the Amazon region and play a significant role in the high transmission cycle of <i>Plasmodium vivax</i>, particularly in areas undergoing degradation of the Amazon. Establishing an <i>An. darlingi</i> colony under laboratory conditions allows for critical studies on this vector, including insecticide resistance, vector competence, and the development of new tools for controlling vivax malaria. However, the establishment of mass-rearing mosquito colonies has proven challenging, with success being heavily dependent on supporting their reproduction. A key factor in this process is finding the most efficient blood source for feeding. Here, we evaluated the reproductive potential of <i>An. darlingi</i> using different blood feeding methods and sources. First, we assessed the effect of anesthesia on reproductive potential by comparing anesthetized mosquitoes with those that were physically restrained. Next, we assessed the best blood source using both direct and indirect blood feeding methods, the latter involving an artificial feeding system. The blood sources tested included from rabbits, chickens, mice, bovines, and humans. In the anesthesia tests, no significant differences in the evaluated biological parameters were observed between anesthetized or non-anesthetized groups. Similarly, no significant differences were detected in the biological parameters assessed for each blood source, regardless of whether the feeding was direct or indirect. Because all blood sources proved effective, the practicality of obtaining and maintaining blood becomes a crucial factor. In this regard, bovine blood emerged as an effective and practical alternative for maintaining an <i>An. darlingi</i> colony under laboratory conditions.https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4450/16/3/281blood feedingcolonycolonization<i>Anopheles darlingi</i>malaria vector
spellingShingle José Daniel Costa Pontual
Natália Vitória Coelho
Najara Akira Costa dos Santos
Alessandra da Silva Bastos
Jéssica Evangelista Araújo
Alice Oliveira Andrade
Jansen Fernandes Medeiros
Maisa da Silva Araujo
Blood Source and Anesthetics Effects on the Maintenance of <i>Anopheles darlingi</i> in the Lab-Rearing Condition
Insects
blood feeding
colony
colonization
<i>Anopheles darlingi</i>
malaria vector
title Blood Source and Anesthetics Effects on the Maintenance of <i>Anopheles darlingi</i> in the Lab-Rearing Condition
title_full Blood Source and Anesthetics Effects on the Maintenance of <i>Anopheles darlingi</i> in the Lab-Rearing Condition
title_fullStr Blood Source and Anesthetics Effects on the Maintenance of <i>Anopheles darlingi</i> in the Lab-Rearing Condition
title_full_unstemmed Blood Source and Anesthetics Effects on the Maintenance of <i>Anopheles darlingi</i> in the Lab-Rearing Condition
title_short Blood Source and Anesthetics Effects on the Maintenance of <i>Anopheles darlingi</i> in the Lab-Rearing Condition
title_sort blood source and anesthetics effects on the maintenance of i anopheles darlingi i in the lab rearing condition
topic blood feeding
colony
colonization
<i>Anopheles darlingi</i>
malaria vector
url https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4450/16/3/281
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