ISCEP 2026 At Sunway Putra Hotel 17-18 August 2026
ABSTRACT
ORAL PRESENTATION ABSTRACT
T1.02
OPTIMISING THE REARING OF WOLBACHIA- INFECTED AEDES AEGYPTI: FROM CHALLENGES TO SUCCESSFUL MASS PRODUCTION
Rafidah ALI, Hanipah SHAHAR, Manimegalai V., Rahman MUKHTAR', M. Helmi Ab HAMID'
Entomology and Pest Branch Kuala Langer & Pa Federal Temitory State Hou Kala Lopar Malaysi
Tropical ectious Disease Research & Education Centre (TIDREC High Impact Research Building PR Universis Malaye Kala Lumpur Malesia Enmental Heath Division City Service Department Perbadanan Pajak P
The deployment of Wolbachia-infected Aedes aegyptiis a promising strategy for reducing dengue cases in Malaysia. Therefore, large scale rearing of Wolbachile-infected Ae. aegypt is crucial for operational success. This study aimed to describe the evidence-based challenges encountered during the rearing process of Wolbachia-infected A. aegypt and to provide useful strategies that support successful adult emergence. A total of 150.000 eggs were hatched every weekly over a 14-week period, from 30 September 2025 to 3 Jan 2025 at Putrajaya Insectarium Larvae were reared in plastic trays and fed three smes prior to pupation. Temperature (27 +1°C) and humidity (70±5%) were monitored throughout the rearing process. Adults were offered a sugar solution upon emerging until the releasing day. Rearing activities were successful across all 14 cycles, achieving a mean adult emergence rate of 8164 15.66% and low larval mortality of 19 10.66 individuals. This indicates that most larvae successfully completed their development from larval to adult stages, under the applied rearing conditions. Although the overall emergence rate was satisfactory, the relatively high standard deviation suggests variability between the rearing cycles. Successful production of Walbachia-infected Ae. aegypti reflects the progressive optimisation process, whereby challenges related to larval density, feeding practices, water quality, and pupation conditions were identified and addressed over time. Ultimately, the emergence rate remained within the range reported for laboratory-reared Ae. aegypt colonies. demonstrating that targeted interventions were effective in optimising rearing performance and enhancing adult emergence.
INTERNATIONAL SCIENTIFIC CONFERENCE ON ENTOMOLOGY AND PEST SCEP) 2006
Keywords: Hobach, rearing Aedes aegypti dengue insectarium