An efficient technique for laboratory rearing of Simulium verecundum S. &J. (Diptera: Simuliidae)

Abstract

A series of 10 similar rearing vessels, each containing 500 ml of water circulated by a rotating magnetic stirring bar, was used to rear cohorts of 50 first-instar Simulium verecundum larvae to adults. Ground 'TETRA' tropical fish meal was used as food. The culture water was replaced daily to remove toxic nitrogenous products excreted by the larvae. In three experiments, the mean [Formula: see text] survival rates were 71.60 ± 3.19%, 81.73 ± 2.78%, and 66.60 ± 2.60%; larval development was reasonably synchronous and the median periods required for growth from first instar to adult were 25, 22, and 21 days.