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

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 larvae 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 sub adult stages differed (P 0.05) from the positive control (fishfood) 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.