Mosquito Larvae Mass Rearing Trays

Add the recommended, species-specific number of L1 larvae to each tray. Prepare the eggs/larvae either in batches or in larger containers and take aliquots; it is a good practice to determine the hatch rate on subsamples before calculating the final number of collected mosquito eggs to be reared for each tray.

To ensure consistent and reliable pupae development, larvae should be reared under controlled and stable environmental conditions (temperature, humidity and (partially) photoperiod). Therefore, Aedes larvae mass rearing trays, for example, should be placed in a climate-controlled room at a temperature of 28±1ºC and a relative humidity of 70-80%. Establishing an illumination schedule that mimics the day/night cycle will help synchronize larval pupation and emergence regardless of the season. Synchronized pupation is a key requirement for the cost-effective use of mass rearing trach & rack systems for both mosquitoes and mealworm farming.

• Material: Larval mass rearing trays are typically made of plastic or metal. Plastic trays are more lightweight (and often more cost-effective), while both are durable and easy to clean and disinfect. Care must be taken to select a plastic with a minimal release of chemical sustances to the rearing substrate. 
• Size and shape: The size and shape of trays depend on the species of insect being reared and the volume of larvae required. Some trays are rectangular or square, while others are circular or oval. The depth of the tray can also vary depending on the size of the larvae, see e.g. the deep trays for mealworm rearing in dry substrate. Whilst it is cost effective to use standard trays available on the market (eg. for insect farming), the shapes available are not always suitable for the species - requiring a bespoke design as the one realized for Mosquitos.
• Design: Larval mass rearing trays can have various design features, such as a mesh or perforated bottom to facilitate air circulation and drainage, or partitions to separate different larval stages. Some trays have mesh-screens or solid lids to prevent escape of larvae and/or contamination of the rearing environment, or covers for shading and increasing humidity.
• Substrate: Much of the above (size, shape, design) depends on the substrate required for the trays, varying species-specific from water-filled (e.g. mosquitos larvae) to trays holding a dry substrate (e.g. for mealworms) .
• Feeding: The trays may have automatic feeding mechanisms, such as a built-in or mobile feeding system, or be compatibel with such external systems, to provide the larvae with an appropriate diet in a standardized manner. However, as the feeding system should be easy to clean and maintain and should not interfere with handling of the larvae, solid feeding is in contrast to liquid feed application, still performed largely manually. 
• Handling: Larval mass rearing trays should be easy to handle and transport and should fit securely into incubators or tray and rack equipment. The trays may also be compatible with any (future) automated systems for collecting, counting or sorting larvae.

Overall, a very large diversity of larval mass rearing trays sizes, shapes and forms exist. However, trays are an essential tools for efficient and effective mass rearing of insects and their design must be tailored to the specific needs of the insect species life stage and the intended application. Vienna Scientific is happy to support this process and help you realize optimized trays for the insect species of choice - contact us!