This question, inspired by our cricket packaging thread, is another excellent question.
Even if we're not releasing mosquitoes, why do we need to breed them in captivity?
There's a few reasons...
Even if we're not releasing mosquitoes, why do we need to breed them in captivity?
There's a few reasons...
The most important is a reference strain. Lots of mosquitoes were being bred in labs before pesticides were introduced, so we *know* they're not resistant to them.
If we're curious about a modern population, we can compare and use them as a standard.
If we're curious about a modern population, we can compare and use them as a standard.
Besides reference strains for pesticides, we know that the lab reference strains can transmit most of the 'normal' diseases that Ae. aegypti spread.
However, not all populations of Ae. aegypti spread every disease.
Why is that?
Scientists need to know!
journals.plos.org/plosntds/artic…
However, not all populations of Ae. aegypti spread every disease.
Why is that?
Scientists need to know!
journals.plos.org/plosntds/artic…
In addition, mosquitoes are model animals because of their medical importance.
There's all sorts of cell lines, advanced handling machinery, molecular tools, that aren't available for all insects.
Sometimes, for a number of reasons, fruit flies just can't get the job done.
There's all sorts of cell lines, advanced handling machinery, molecular tools, that aren't available for all insects.
Sometimes, for a number of reasons, fruit flies just can't get the job done.
There's a number of reasons, beyond sterile releases to try to control populations, that mosquitoes are reared in lab settings.
