Effects of bovine and lamb blood‐feeding sources on the fecundity and fertility of <i>Wolbachia</i> ‐carrying <i>Aedes aegypti</i> females

The controlled and continuous production of mosquitoes is critical for conducting basic and operational research. The blood-feeding source is crucial, as it determines the amount of protein mosquitoes can obtain, which is essential for mosquito female fecundity and fertility. The objective of this study was to evaluate the fecundity and fertility of Aedes aegypti females carrying Wolbachia when fed on bovine and lamb blood sources. Females were fed for two consecutive days using bovine or lamb blood, respectively. Thirty fully engorged females per blood source (bovine or lamb) were selected and placed individually for oviposition. The eggs were weighed and measured to provide morphometric data, then counted and hatched. The average number of eggs laid by females fed bovine blood was significantly higher than those laid by females fed lamb blood; however, no significant differences were observed in average hatching percentages. Bovine blood may offer some advantages, potentially associated with a higher level of nutrients for mosquito mass rearing and release strategies due to its positive impact on egg production. However, lamb blood remains a viable alternative.