SIMPLIFIED MEMBRANE TECHNIQUE FOR FEEDING BLACKFLIES (DIPTERA-SIMULIIDAE) ON BLOOD IN LABORATORY

  • 1 January 1976
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 53  (1) , 127-129
Abstract
In order to overcome the difficulties of colonizing Simuliidae in the laboratory, a membrane system was developed which was successfully used to feed Simulium vittatum and S. verecundum on out-dated human whole blood. Thirty-seven (41.1%) of 90 S. vittatum and 4 (8.6%) of 46 S. verecundum took blood meals in 6 trials. The membrane system was more effective and consistent in providing blood meals compared with the use of laboratory animals.