Colonization of Anopheles pseudopunctipennis from Mexico

Two colonies of Anopheles pseudopunctipennis, Tapachula and Abasolo strains , were established under laboratory conditions with a thermoperiod (29 degr ees C during the day; 24 degrees C during the night) and artificial dusk. T o stimulate mating, a light beam from a flashlight was shone on the cage sh ortly after lights off. This procedure was repented for the first 6 mosquit o generations (parental to F-6) and thereafter light stimulation was unnece ssary for mating. The Tapachula colony has been maintained for 24 generatio ns in 24 months, with insemination rates in females >80% since the F-3, and a monthly production of 30,000 pupae since the F-7. Using the same procedu re, the Abasolo colony from northeastern Mexico has been maintained for 13 generations in 14 months, with insemination rates of 26-52%.