‘We like it wet’: a comparison between dissection techniques for the assessment of parity in <i>Anopheles arabiensis</i> and determination of sac stage in mosquitoes alive or dead on collection

Abstract

In anophelines the examination of mosquito ovaries using transmitted light in a 'wet' dissection is a more useful and informative technique than examination of dry ovaries. In order to correctly estimate the duration of the oviposition cycle mosquitoes should be dissected as soon as possible after collection. Younger insects were more likely to attempt to feed outdoors rather than indoors.