Zea mays (L.) Pollen as Nutriment to Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae) Larvae under Laboratory Conditions

Abstract

This study investigated if maize (Zea mays Linnaeus) pollen can serve as a nutrient source to Aedes aegypti Linnaeus larvae, the primary dengue mosquito vector in the Philippines. First instar of Ae. aegypti were subjected to different treatments of maize pollen reared in mineral water or in rain water to determine their effects on the larval development into adult emergence. Results showed that the overall development time, survivorship, and mean duration of subadult stages differed (P<0.05; univariate ANOVA) but not on wing length among the treatments of Ae. aegypti. Larvae fed with maize pollen and reared in rain water took 7.36 d to emerge into adults and had 65% survivorship, whereas those reared in mineral water took 7.88 d to become adults and had 62% survivorship. Larvae in positive control took 6.05 d to become adults and had 79% survivorship. Mean duration from first to third instar larval stages differed (P<0.05) among treatments. Post hoc analysis using Scheffe’s pairwise comparison test showed that larvae fed with maize pollen and reared in rain water did not significantly differ (P>0.05) from the positive control (fish food) on their development time, survivorship, and mean duration of subadult stages. These suggest that maize pollen provides nutrients for Ae. aegypti larvae similar to the positive control. Carbohydrates and proteins were detected in Molisch, Iodine, and Biuret tests. Results are relevant for future work in establishing the link between dengue mosquitoes and maize plantations in the Philippines.