Factors influencing the feeding response of laboratory-reared Aedes aegypti.

We evaluated the effects of membrane surface area (cm2), female density, and container/cage size on feeding response in laboratory-reared Aedes aegypti. Female density did not affect feeding rates at low surface areas, but higher density did significantly increase feeding as surface area increased. Females in large, cloth cages fed less compared to those in large, plastic cups. The rate of feeding was higher when using live, anesthetized mice versus a membrane feeding system. The AFRIMS Insectary will continue to look for innovative ways to improve our membrane feeding system.