Laboratory Colonization of Aedes japonicus japonicus

Abstract

We describe methodology used for the laboratory colonization of Aedes japonicus japonicus, an exotic mosquito species native to eastern Asia and first collected in New Jersey as larvae in 1999. We created a free mating colony in 2000 that readily bloodfed on restrained bobwhite quail (Colinus virginianus). A larval diet of finely ground Purina Lab Diet dissolved in dechlorinated water has proven acceptable. This is the first report of Ae. j. japonicus colonization from mosquitoes collected in the United States.