# Influence of different host blood meal sources on the reproductive outcomes in Anopheles gambiae: Enhancing fecundity in a mass rearing environment

## TL;DR

This study finds that pig blood is a good alternative to human blood for raising Anopheles gambiae mosquitoes in large numbers.

## Contribution

The study identifies pig blood as a viable substitute for human blood in mass rearing of Anopheles gambiae mosquitoes.

## Key findings

- Pig blood supports high feeding success and egg production comparable to human blood.
- Human blood provides the highest hatchability, while pig blood supports the longest adult survival.
- Pig blood is a suitable alternative for mass rearing Anopheles gambiae mosquitoes.

## Abstract

Identification of blood sources for maximum production of Anopheles mosquitoes is an important consideration for colony maintenance which involves mass rearing. High feeding rates, eggs production, hatching rates, larval, pupal, and adult survivorship are essential parameters to consider when selecting a blood host for mass production of An. gambiae. Here, we investigated the feeding success, reproduction performance and survivorship of An. gambiae when fed on blood from five different hosts: cow, goat, sheep, pig, and chicken compared to human blood. There was significant variations in feeding success (F5, 18 =  35.34, p < .001), egg laying (F 5,18 = 12.57, p < .001), number of eggs laid (F5, 18 = 34.23 p < .001), egg hatchability (F 5, 114 =  37.63, p < .001), pupation time (F 5,18 =  5.532763, p = 0.0029) and pupation rates (F 5,18 =  8.26, p < .001). Feeding success was highest in human blood meal (Mean = 125.25 ±  3.86), followed by pig blood meal (Mean = 123 ±  7.93), with no statistically significant difference between the two. The highest proportion of females that laid eggs were those fed on human blood (Mean =  36.50 ±  2.08) followed by those fed on chicken blood meals (Mean =  27.50 ±  5.44) and then pig blood meal (Mean =  26.25 ±  2.87). The mean number of eggs laid per mosquito was highest among those fed on human blood meal (111.65 ±  5.74) followed by those fed on pig blood meal (100.46 ±  6.36). The most favorable outcomes were observed with human blood for hatchability (88.35 ±  5.61%), pig blood for pupation percentage (Mean =  83.50 ±  4.79), and goat blood for pupation time (9.79 ±  0.41 days). Larval survival rates did not significantly differ among blood meal sources (F 5,92 =  0.13, p = 0.985). Nonetheless, the highest survival rate was observed with pig blood meal (Mean =  0.57 ±  0.11). Survival rates of adult F1 varied significantly across blood meals (F
6,346 = 133.19, p < .001), with human blood meal showing the highest survival rate (Mean =  0.73 ±  0.04). However, pig blood meal (56 days) demonstrated the longest survival period, close to human blood meal (57 days). This study revealed pig blood as an excellent alternative to human blood meal for the mass production of An. gambiae.