Laboratory colonisation of Aedes geniculatus

Aedes geniculatus (Diptera: Culicidae) is a container-breeding mosquito species widespread throughout Europe and adjacent regions. Similar to other container-breeding mosquitoes, this primarily mammophilic species could be a vector for several pathogens of medical or veterinary importance. We here report for the first time a laboratory colonisation of Ae. geniculatus. Eggs and larvae were collected from forest edges in the area around Zürich, Switzerland. The colony could be established by maintaining adults at room temperature in a large cage where mating occurred. Females took blood meals through a pig intestine membrane in a restricted space. After embryo development for 8 – 14 weeks at 10 °C, ‘hatching in installments’ was induced. Our established colony of Ae. geniculatus, now in its sixth generation, facilitates future studies on basic ecology and physiology of this species and its vector capacity traits. Journal of the European Mosquito Control Association 34: 1-4, 2016