Efficacy of artificial diets (BSA 10% and BSA 20%) for 10 generations of Aedes albopictus mosquito. These diets were prepared with distilled water and used in the new dietary system. For the blood feeding, the live guinea pig was used as a control.
Mosquito feeding status on the new dietary system. (A) unfed, (B) half fed and (C) full fed. Arrow shows abdominal bulging after feeding on new dietary system.
Invention Summary:
Rutgers scientists have developed an artificial feeding system for the maintenance and growth of mosquitoes that exploits their sugar feeding behavior rather than blood feeding behavior. Mosquitoes can both survive and lay eggs on this system. The diet is completely synthetic, blood-free and supports several different species of mosquitoes including Aedes, Anopheles and Culex mosquitoes.
The diet provides fecundity and fertility similar to the blood diet, and supports the survival of both male and female mosquitoes. The artificial diet can also support multiple generations of mosquito production without a reduction in efficacy. This system does not require any electrical power for its operation and is functional at room temperature.
Market Applications:
- Mosquito feeder
- Non-membrane feeding device
- Mosquito diet
- Artificial diet
Advantages:
- Maintenance free, reusable
- Unique feeding mechanism
- Does not require phagostimulant
- Non-species specific
- Longer shelf life than blood
- Economical, eco-friendly
Intellectual Property & Development Status:
Patent pending. Available for licensing and research collaboration.
