Laboratory colonization of the European invasive mosquito Aedes (Finlaya) koreicus.
BACKGROUND
Aedes (Finlaya) koreicus (Edwards) is a mosquito that has recently entered Europe from Asia. This species is considered a potential threat to newly colonized territories, but little is known about its capacity to transmit pathogens or ability to compete with native mosquito species. The establishment of a laboratory colony is a necessary first step for further laboratory studies on the biology, ecology and vector competence of Ae. koreicus.


RESULTS
A self-mating colony was established at QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute (Brisbane, Australia) from eggs of the F1 progeny of individuals collected as free-living larvae in northeastern Italy (Belluno province). Mosquitoes are currently maintained on both defibrinated sheep blood provided via an artificial membrane system and human blood from volunteers. Larvae are maintained in rain water and fed with Tetramin®fish food (©2015 Spectrum Brands - Pet, Home and Garden Division, Tetra-Fish). Morphometric measurements related to body size were taken and a fecundity index, based on wing length, was calculated. An in vivo technique for differentiating male and female pupae has been optimized. Our findings provide the basis for further studies on the ecology and physiology of Ae. koreicus.


CONCLUSIONS
We describe the establishment of an Ae. koreicus colony in the laboratory and identify critical requirements for the maintenance of this mosquito species under artificial conditions. The laboratory colony will facilitate studies investigating the vector potential of this species for human pathogens.
QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Royal Brisbane Hospital, Brisbane, Australia. Silvia.Ciocchetta@qimrberghofer.edu.au.|Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia. Silvia.Ciocchetta@qimrberghofer.edu.au.
Silvia
http://orcid.org/0000-0001-5007-8541
S
Ciocchetta
QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Royal Brisbane Hospital, Brisbane, Australia.
Jonathan M
JM
Darbro
Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia.
Francesca D
FD
Frentiu
Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie, Padova, Italy.
Fabrizio
F
Montarsi
Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie, Padova, Italy.
Gioia
G
Capelli
Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia.
John G
JG
Aaskov
QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Royal Brisbane Hospital, Brisbane, Australia.
Gregor J
GJ
Devine
D000330:Aedes / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000502:physiology; D000818:Animals; D004772:Entomology / Q000379:methods*; D005060:Europe; D005260:Female; D007303:Insect Vectors / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000502:physiology; D058865:Introduced Species; D007753:Laboratories; D007814:Larva / Q000254:growth & development; D008297:Male; D012098:Reproduction; D012756:Sheep
Aedes koreicus; Fecundity index; Invasive mosquito species; Laboratory colonization; Pupae differentiation