title: Rearing Culicoides variipennis sonorensis (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) on agar and nematodes.
abstract: Culicoides variipennis sonorensis Wirth & Jones was reared from egg to adult in petri dishes on a 0.5 or 1% agar substrate with bacterial-feeding nematodes (Pelodera, Panagrellus) as food. All larval stages except the first instar were observed attacking and feeding on nematodes. Developmental rate on agar was approximately 25% slower than that of larvae reared in pans of water with bacteria, fungi, and algae as food. Pupation success was approximately 75% from dishes (3.5 or 9 cm diameter) with 30 and 100 eggs, respectively. The technique has significant advantages for maintainance of small laboratory colonies and allows continuous observation of developing immatures for experimental studies.
authors.affiliation: Department of Entomology, University of California, Riverside 92521.
authors.forename: B A
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Mullens
authors.forename: R K
authors.initials: RK
authors.lastname: Velten
mesh_terms: D000362:Agar; D000818:Animals; D002519:Ceratopogonidae / Q000254:growth & development*; D004435:Eating; D004772:Entomology / Q000379:methods; D007814:Larva / Q000254:growth & development; D009348:Nematoda
chemical_list: D000362:Agar