Hatching the eggs

Egg strips are submerged in a water container placed in a vacuum chamber to mimic low oxygen environment to encourage hatching. After the eggs are hatched, the total larva count is estimated and the larvae are allotted into rearing trays and modules.

Feeding the larvae

Larvae are fed 2-3 times weekly depending on their density to ensure uniform growth. Larval growth takes 6-7 days, by the end of which they pupate and are subsequently ready for sorting.

Sorting and packing pupae

The pupae separation system uses sieves of differing sizes to sort the pupae (male pupae are smaller than female pupae), as well as timed water influx and light. These pupae are then distributed into paper cups and cages for delivery purposes and colony maintenance, respectively. After 1-2 days, the pupae will emerge into adult mosquitoes.

Mosquito delivery

Adult mosquitoes are fed with 10% sucrose solution using cotton balls. Mosquitoes aged 3-5 days are delivered to release areas for the Wolbachia project.