Mosquito larvae in salt water tidal pools..

Mar 07, 2015 • 1:13 PM UTC

Puerto Rico

140x Magnification

Microorganisms

Manu Prakash

I am a faculty at Stanford and run the Prakash Lab at Department of Bioengineering at Stanford University. Foldscope community is at the heart of our Frugal Science movement - and I can not tell you how proud I am of this community and grassroots movement. Find our work here: http://prakashlab.stanford.edu

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I just returned from Viques; an island next to Puerto Rico. The place is known to have both Dengue and Chikungunya, both spread by Aedes ageptyi. I walked around the island looking for places where the mosquitoes lay the eggs. I was not expecting this; but I stumbled upon mosquito larvae happily feeding in a tidal pool. Initially, I did not believe that (how can mosquitoes survive the salt water of the tidal pool); but soon I had no choice but to believe it. I collected the water and the mosquito larvae which I kept alive in my room for 4 days in a row; with no reduction in activity.

Here I recorded a live larvae moving around inside the foldscope; also my commentary is captured. Thanks Thomas for your acute questions – it was really fun.

The larvae are almost clear; and beautiful tracheal structures are visible inside the head. The eyes are very clear and the siphon is visible. Also since the larvae was alive; you can clearly see the pulsating beating heart.
Find mosquitoes around your community and post them here.
cheers
manu