Gunathilaka, P.A.D.H.N.Uduwawala, U.M.H.U.Udayanga, N.W.B.A.L.Ranathunge, R.M.T.B.Amarasinghe, L.D.Abeyewickreme, W.2017-11-282017-11-282018Bulletin of Entomological Research.2018:108(5):583-5920007-4853 (Print)1475-2670 (Electronic)0007-4853 (Linking)http://repository.kln.ac.lk/handle/123456789/18301Indexed In MEDLINELarval diet quality and rearing conditions have a direct and irreversible effect on adult traits. Therefore, the current study was carried out to optimize the larval diet for mass rearing of Aedes aegypti, for Sterile Insect Technique (SIT)-based applications in Sri Lanka. Five batches of 750 first instar larvae (L 1) of Ae. aegypti were exposed to five different concentrations (2-10%) of International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) recommended the larval diet. Morphological development parameters of larva, pupa, and adult were detected at 24 h intervals along with selected growth parameters. Each experiment was replicated five times. General Linear Modeling along with Pearson's correlation analysis were used for statistical treatments. Significant differences (P < 0.05) among the larvae treated with different concentrations were found using General Linear Modeling in all the stages namely: total body length and the thoracic length of larvae; cephalothoracic length and width of pupae; thoracic length, thoracic width, abdominal length and the wing length of adults; along with pupation rate and success, sex ratio, adult success, fecundity and hatching rate of Ae. aegypti. The best quality adults can be produced at larval diet concentration of 10%. However, the 8% larval diet concentration was most suitable for adult male survival.en-USAedesAedes-growth & developmentInsect VectorsLarva-growth & developmentDietArticle