Evaluation of local larval diets for mass rearing of <i>Aedes aegypti</i> (Diptera: Culicidae) to support sterile insect technique programs in Burkina Faso

Aedes aegypti Linnaeus 1762 is the primary vector of several viruses that cause arboviral diseases. Control strategies, such as SIT, require large-scale mosquito (Diptera: Culicidae) production, which depends critically on larval nutrition. However, the high cost and limited availability of conventional feed components hinder SIT implementation, particularly in resource-limited settings. Faced with this situation, it is imperative to find locally produced food sources. Here, we assessed six locally derived diets for their suitability in mass rearing Aedes aegypti. The diets include: (B) African Clarias gariepinus Burchell 1822 (Siluriformes: Clariidae) dried without additives; (C) Cirina butyrospermi Vuillet 1911 (Lepidoptera: Saturniidae) dried without additives; (D) Glycine max (L.) Merr., 1917 without additives; (E) a 1:1 mixture of Clarias gariepinus and Cirina butyrospermi; (F) a 1:1 mixture of Clarias gariepinus and Glycine max; and a mixture of 50% Clarias gariepinus, (G) 25% Glycine max and 25% Cirina butyrospermi. (A) Commercial fish food formulation (TetraMin® Baby) served as the control. Diets C and D were associated with significantly delayed while diets C, D, and E yielded fewer adults than the control. In contrast, diets B and G provided the most favorable balance of development time, adult emergence, and survival, comparable to the control group. Diets D and F produced the lowest fecundity and hatch rates, whereas diet G generated large, fertile adults. Collectively, these findings indicate that diets B and G are suitable for mass rearing, with diet G emerging as a cost-effective alternative for SIT programs targeting Aedes aegypti in Burkina Faso.