89 research outputs found
Establishment, maintenance and productivity of a colony of laboratory from Lutzomyia spinicrassa Morales, Osorno-Mesa, Osorno & Hoyos, 1969 (Diptera: Psychodidae) in Colombia
El flebótomo Lutzomyia spinicrassa es vector de Leishmania braziliensis y tiene amplia distribución en plantaciones de café en Colombia y Venezuela. Metodología: Se estableció una colonia en condiciones de laboratorio a partir de 600 hembras de L. spinicrassa capturadas en el campo y mantenidas a temperatura de 23º C y humedad relativa de 70%. El tiempo de desarrollo desde huevo hasta adulto osciló entre 58 y 78 días, en promedio 11 semanas. Se compararon parámetros poblacionales de la especie obtenidos a partir de cinco generaciones sucesivas mantenidas en grupos, con una generación criada individualmente. Resultados: Se obtuvieron los siguientes parámetros en cada condición experimental: tasa neta de reproducción (6,92 y 7 hembras por hembra por generación), tasa intrínseca de incremento poblacional (0,17 y 0,18 hembras por hembra por semana) y tasa finita de incremento poblacional (1,06 y 1,19 individuos por hembra por semana). Conclusión: Estos datos sugieren que la colonia de L. spinicrassa tuvo un incremento constante durante las seis generaciones analizadas.Lutzomyia spinicrassa is a vector of Leishmania braziliensis. This sand fly has a broad geographical distribution in Colombia and Venezuela and it’s founded mainly in coffee plantations. Methodology: Starting from 600 females of L. spinicrassa captured in field a laboratory colony was established. The development time from egg to adult ranged from 58 to 78 days, 11 weeks in average. Population parameters of five successive generations maintained in groups were compared with a generation reared individually. Results: The following parameters were obtained in each experimental condition: net rate of reproduction (6.92 and 7 females per female per generation), intrinsic rate of population increment (0.17 and 0.18 females per female per week) and finite rate of population increment (1.06 and 1.19 individuals per female per week). Conclusion: These data suggest that the colony of L. spinicrassa had a constant increment during the six analyzed generations
Evaluación del efecto tóxico de extractos de Eupatorium microphyllum L.F. (Asteraceae) sobre larvas de Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae) en condiciones de laboratorio
In the present work the toxic activity of extracts of Eupatorium microphyllum L.F. was evaluated on 4th instar larvae of the mosquito Aedes aegypti (Linneaus), under laboratory conditions. Aqueous extracts were utilized in concentrations of 500 mg L-1, 1,500 mg L-1 and 2,500 mg L-1 and acetone in concentrations of 10 mg L-1, 20 mg L-1, 30 mg L-1, 40 mg L-1and 50 mg L-1. The bioassays were carried out for triplicate each one with 20 larvae, exposed for 24 hours to 150 mL of solution. In all the bioassays were employed control groups. In the evaluation of the acetone extracts, a negative control was employed to avoid that the mortality of the larvae to occur on account of the solvent. The Aqueous extracts showed low moderate action in the mortality of larvae, less than 20%. On the contrary, the action of the acetone extracts was observed to 10 and 20 mg L-1with 15% of mortality, while to 30 and 40 mg L-1 were registered 22 to 38% of mortality. However, to 50 mg L-1 the mortality was of 95.4% with highly significant statistical results. The concentrations of the acetone extracts showed to be the most efficient for the control of the mosquitoes selected. Both types of extracts showed toxic effect in larvae of A. aegypti, nevertheless, greater effect in the acetone extracts was observed relating to the aqueous extracts of E. microphyllum, which constitutes a viable alternative in the search of new larvicides from composed natural.En el presente trabajo se evaluó la actividad tóxica de extractos de Eupatorium microphyllum L.F. sobre larvas de IV estadio del mosquito Aedes aegypti (Linneaus), bajo condiciones de laboratorio. Se utilizaron extractos acuosos en concentraciones del 500 mg L-1, 1.500 mg L-1 y 2.500 mg L-1 y acetónicos en concentraciones de 10 mg L-1, 20 mg L-1, 30 mg L-1, 40 mg L-1 y 50 mg L-1. Los bioensayos se realizaron por triplicado, cada uno con 20 larvas, expuestas durante 24 horas a 150 mL de solución. En todos los ensayos biológicos se emplearon grupos control. En la evaluación de los extractos acetónicos, se empleó un control negativo para evitar que la mortalidad de las larvas ocurriera a causa del solvente. Los extractos acuosos mostraron acción moderadamente baja en la mortalidad de larvas, menor del 20%. Por el contrario, la acción de los extractos acetónicos se observó a 10 y 20 mg L-1, con 15% de mortalidad, mientras que a 30 y 40 mg L-1 se registraron 22 al 38% de mortalidad, en tanto que a 50 mg L-1 la mortalidad fue del 95,4% con resultados estadísticos altamente significativos. Las concentraciones de los extractos acetónicos mostraron ser las más eficientes para el control de los mosquitos seleccionados. Ambos tipos de extractos mostraron efecto tóxico en larvas de A. aegypti; sin embargo, se observó mayor efecto en los extractos acetónicos en relación con los extractos acuosos de E. microphyllum, lo cual constituye una alternativa viable en la búsqueda de nuevos larvicidas a partir de compuestos naturales
Cultivos celulares primarios de Lutzomyia shannoni (Diptera: psychodidae) y estudio cariologico preliminar de la especie
To obtain a Lutzomyia shannoni (Dyar) cell line for viral susceptibility studies and parasite maintainance, primary cell cultures of this species were initiated. This species is a vector for vesicular stomatitis virus in the United States and a suspected vector of cutaneous leishmaniasis in the Americas. Starting with embryos and phlebotominae neonate larvae, embryonic tissue explants in a MMIVP12 medium were carried out. After being supplemented with 20% fetal bovine serum and an antibiotic and antimycotic mixture, they were incubated at 28°C in a non-CO, environment. Cell growth began 85 to 88 days after the cultures were initiated dueto epithelial cell vesicle presence; these were floating in the media or adhered to small fragments of tissue with divided cells. Following mechanical stimulation of the cultures, cell proliferation increased in the week following the procedure; however, cell mitotic process was slow, similar to that developed with Lu. longipalpis, but different to cell cultures derived from mosquitoes. The formation of individual colonies, dispersed on the surface of the culture flasks, was observed 90 days after incubation; these later evolved to a semiconfluent monolayer. The cellular morphology was heterogeneous with predominant epithelial types. Using the squash technique, this species' karyotype was obtained; the number of diploid chromosomes was 8, derived from fourth-instar larvae brain tissue.Con el propósito de obtener una línea celular de Lutzomyia shannoni (Dyar) para estudios de susceptibilidad viral y mantenimiento de parásitos, se iniciaron cultivos celulares primarios de esta especie, vectora del virus de la estomatitis vesicular en los Estados Unidos y vectora sospechosa de leishmaniasis cutánea en las Américas. A partir de embriones y larvas neonatas del flebotomineo, se realizaron explantes de tejidos embrionarios en el medio MMIVP12, suplementado con 20% de suero fetal bovino y una mezcla de antibiótico y antimicótico, los cuales fueron incubados a una temperatura promedio de 2VC, sin atmósfera de CO,. El crecimiento celular comenzó en un periodo de 85 a 88 días después de efectuadas las siembras, mediante la presencia de vesículas compuestas de células epitelioides, flotando en el medio o adheridas a pequeños fragmentos de tejidos con células en división. Previa estimulación mecánica de los cultivos, se incrementó la proliferación celular a la semana siguiente de efectuado el procedimiento; sin embargo, el proceso mitótico de las células fue lento, similar al desarrollado con Lu. longipalpis, pero diferente a los cultivos celulares derivados de mosquitos. La formación de colonias individuales, dispersas en la superficie del frasco de cultivo, se observó a los 90 días de incubación, las cuales posteriormente evolucionaron a una monocapa semiconfluente. La morfología celular fue heterogénea con predominio de tipos epitelioides. Mediante la técnica de squash, se obtuvo el cariotipo de la especie, cuyo número diploide de cromosomas fue de 8, derivados de tejidos cerebrales de larvas de IV estadio
Susceptibility Analysis of a Cell Line Derived from Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae) to Leishmania (L) chagasi and Leishmania (V) braziliensis Infection
Se evaluó la susceptibilidad de los cultivos celulares derivados de tejidos embrionarios de Aedes aegypti a la infección con Leishmania (L) chagasi y Leishmania (V) braziliensis, agentes etiológicos de leishmaniasis visceral americana y leishmaniasis cutánea, respectivamente. Metodología: Se seleccionaron células de A. aegypti mantenidas en una mezcla de medio de cultivo Grace/L15, suplementado con suero fetal bovino al 15%, albendazol 5,4 mg/ml y una mezcla de antibióticos, e incubadas a una temperatura promedio de 26 °C. Los cultivos celulares fueron inoculados con promastigotes metacíclicos de la cepa MH/CO/84/CI-044B de L. chagasi y la cepa HOM/BR752903 de L. braziliensis en una concentración de 10 parásitos por célula. Como control positivo de la infección se utilizó la línea celular J774. Resultados: Los registros más altos en el porcentaje de infección y en el número de amastigotes por células en los cultivos celulares A. aegypti y en la línea celular J774 se obtuvieron en los días 6 y 9 pos-infección. Los resultados mostraron interacción, internalización y maduración in vitro de las dos especies del parásito en las células de este insecto no vector de Leishmania. Las células de A. aegypti infectadas mostraron cambios en el área por la influencia de los parásitos, contrario a lo registrado en las células no infectadas (P<0,05). Conclusión: Los cultivos celulares de A. aegypti emergen como un nuevo modelo in vitro para el estudio del ciclo biológico de L. chagasi y L. braziliensis.The susceptibility of culture cells derived from embryonic tissues of Aedes aegypti to the infection with Leishmania (L) chagasi and Leishmania (V) braziliensis was evaluated. Methodology: These parasites are etiological agents of American visceral leishmaniasis and cutaneous leishmaniasis, respectively. Selected cells of Aedes aegypti were maintained in culture medium Grace/L15, supplement with 15% bovine fetal serum, 5,4 mg/ml of albendazol and an antibiotic mixture and incubated at an average temperature of 26°C. The cultures were inoculated with metacyclic promastigotes of the strain MH/ CO/84/CI-044B of L. chagasi and the strain HOM/BR752903 of L. braziliensis in a concentration of 10 parasites by cell. The J774 cell line was used as positive control of infection. Results: The highest percentage of infection represented as the number of amastigotes per cell in A. aegyti cell cultures and in the J774 cell line were obtained on days 6 and 9 post-infection. The results showed interaction, internalization and maturation in vitro of the two species of the parasite in the cells of a non-vector insect of Leishmania. Infected A. aegypti cells showed changes in its area because of the influence of the parasites that differ significantly (P <0.05) compared to not infected cells. Conclusion: Cell cultures from A. aegypti emerge as a new in vitro model for the study of the biological cycle of L. chagasi and L. braziliensis
Sarconesin: Sarconesiopsis magellanica Blowfly Larval Excretions and Secretions With Antibacterial Properties
Larval therapy (LT) is an alternative treatment for healing chronic wounds; its action is based on debridement, the removal of bacteria, and stimulating granulation tissue. The most important mechanism when using LT for combating infection depends on larval excretions and secretions (ES). Larvae are protected against infection by a spectrum of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs); special interest in AMPs has also risen regarding understanding their role in wound healing since they degrade necrotic tissue and kill different bacteria during LT. Sarconesiopsis magellanica (Diptera: Calliphoridae) is a promising medically-important necrophagous fly. This article reports a small AMP being isolated from S. magellanica ES products for the first time; these products were obtained from third-instar larvae taken from a previously-established colony. ES were fractionated by RP-HPLC using C18 columns for the first analysis; the products were then lyophilised and their antimicrobial activity was characterized by incubation with different bacterial strains. These fractions' primary sequences were determined by mass spectrometry and de novo sequencing; five AMPs were obtained, the Sarconesin fraction was characterized and antibacterial activity was tested in different concentrations with minimum inhibitory concentrations starting at 1.2 mu M. Potent inhibitory activity was shown against Gram-negative (Escherichia coli D31, E. coli DH5 alpha, Salmonella enterica ATCC 13314, Pseudomonas aeruginosa 27853) and Gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 29213, S. epidermidis ATCC 12228, Micrococcus luteus A270) bacteria. Sarconesin has a significant similarity with Rho-family GTPases which are important in organelle development, cytoskeletal dynamics, cell movement, and wound repair. The data reported here indicated that Sarconesin could be an alternative candidate for use in therapeutics against Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacterial infections. Our study describes one peptide responsible for antibacterial activity when LT is being used. The results shown here support carrying out further experiments aimed at validating S. magellanica AMPs as novel resources for combating antibacterial resistance
Caracterização citogenética de lucilia sericata (Meigen, 1826) (diptera: calliphoridae), cepa Bogotá, Colômbia
Introducción: Lucilia sericata es una especie de importancia médica y forense, utilizada en terapialarval para curar heridas crónicas y en estudios médico-legales empleada en la estimacióndel intervalo post mórtem y el traslado de cadáveres. No existen registros de las característicascitogenéticas de esta mosca en el neotrópico. El objetivo principal de este trabajo fue identificarlas características morfométricas cromosómicas y las estructuras primarias del cariotipo, a partirde especímenes de L. sericata de la cepa Bogotá, Colombia. Materiales y métodos: Se tomaronhuevos embrionados, que fueron previamente esterilizados en su superficie, se maceraron y luegofueron sembrados en el medio de cultivo L-15, suplementado con 20% de sfb, e incubados auna temperatura de 28 ºC, sin atmosfera de C02. La preparación de los cromosomas se obtuvo demonocapas celulares semiconfluentes, empleando diversas soluciones: antimitótica (Colchicina),hipotónica (KCl 0,075 M) y fijadora (Carnoy: metanol y ácido acético; 3:1). Se llevó a cabo la técnicade bandeo C para la identificación de regiones cromosómicas de heterocromatina constitutiva.Resultados: Se obtuvieron parámetros morfométricos de cada par cromosómico. El número diploidedel cariotipo obtenido de los cultivos celulares fue 2n = 12; éstos se clasificaron morfológicamente,de acuerdo con patrones previamente establecidos, así: los pares I, II, IV y V fueronmetacéntricos, y el par III fue submetacéntrico. A su vez, el par sexual fue heteromórfico, siendoel cromosoma X metacéntrico y el cromosoma Y submetacéntrico. El bandeo C fue positivo paratodos los pares cromosómicos. Conclusiones: Se establecieron las características citogenéticas deL. sericata, cepa Bogotá, Colombia, relacionadas con número, forma, tamaño, posición del centrómeroy regiones heterocromáticas de los cromosomas.Objective: Lucilia sericata is an important species for medical and forensic purposes, it is used inmaggot therapy in the treatment of chronic wounds and in medical-legal studies for establishingthe post-mortem interval and the transfer of corpses. Currently there are no records of thecytogenetic characteristics of this fly in Neotropical region. The main objective of this study wasto identify morphometric characteristics and primary structures from karyotype of L. sericatastrain Bogota, Colombia. Methods and materials: Embryonated eggs were taken, which werepreviously surface sterilized, macerated and then seeded in L-15 medium culture, supplementedwith 20% fbs and incubated at 28 ºC, without C02 atmosphere. The preparation of chromosomeswas obtained from semiconfluent monolayers, pretreated with various solutions: antimitotic (Colchicine),hypotonic (KCl 0.075 M) and fixative (Carnoy, methanol and acetic acid, 3:1). C-bandingtechnique was carried out to identify chromosomal regions of constitutive heterochromatin.Results: Morphometric parameters were obtained from each pair of chromosomes. The diploidkaryotype number obtained from cell cultures was 2n = 12; they were classified morphologically,according to patterns established previously, as follows: pairs I, II, IV and V were metacentricand pair III was submetacentric. On the other hand, the sexual pair was heteromorphic, beingX chromosome metacentric and Y chromosome submetacentric. C banding was positive for allchromosome pairs. Conclusions: The cytogenetic characteristics of L. sericata, strain Bogotá,were established according to number, shape, centromer position and heterochromatic regions.Introdução: Lucilia sericata é uma espécie de importência médica e forense, utilizada em terapialarval para curar feridas crônicas e em estudos médico-legais empregada na estimação do intervalopost morteme o traslado de cadáveres. Não existem registros das características citogéneticasdesta mosca no neotrópico. O objetivo principal deste trabalho foi identificar as característicasmorfométricas cromossômicas e as estruturas primárias do cariótipo, a partir de especímenes deL. sericata da cepa Bogotá, Colômbia. Materiais e métodos: Tomaram-se ovos embrionados, queforam previamente esterilizados em sua superfície, se maceraram e depois foram semeados nomédio de cultivo L-15, suplementado com 20% de SFB, e incubados a uma temperatura de 28°C, sem atmosfera de C02. A preparação dos cromossomas obteve-se de monocamadas celularessemiconfluentes, utilizando diversas soluções: antimitótica (Colchicina), hipotônica (KCl 0,075M) e fixadora (Carnoy: metanol y ácido acético; 3:1). Levou-se a cabo a técnica de bandas C paraa identificação de regiões cromossômicas de heterocromatina constitutiva. Resultados: Se obtiveramparâmetros morfométricos de cada par cromossômico. O número diplóide do cariótipoobtido dos cultivos celulares foi 2n = 12; estes se classificaram morfologicamente, de acordo compatrões previamente estabelecidos, assim: os pares I, II, IV e V foram metacêntricos, e o par IIIfoi submetacêntrico. Por sua vez, o par sexual foi heteromórfico, sendo o cromossoma X metacêntricoe o cromossoma Y submetacêntrico. As bandas C foram positivas para todos os parescromossômicos. Conclusões: Se estabeleceram as características citogenéticas de L. sericata, cepa Bogotá, Colômbia, relacionadas com número, forma, tamanho, posição do centrômero e regiõesheterocromáticas dos cromossomas
Estudio de cultivos celulares primarios de Psorophora confinnis (Díptera: Culicidae)
With the purpose of obtaining a Ps. confinniscell line for arbovirus infection susceptibility studies, the primary cultures of this species were initiated, this being a vector of the Venezuelan Equine Encephalitis virus, epidemo-epizootic type. Starting from embryonated eggs, neonate larvae and adult females' ovaries, embryonic tissue explants in diverse culture media (supplemented with 20% foetal bovine serum and a mixture of antibiotics and 1% antimycotics) were carried out. Biological material was sterilised by immersion in different substances, such as 1.6% sodium hypochloride, 70% ethanol and 0.25% mercuric chloride solution in 70% ethanol. Cellular growth only began after 62 days of incubation in MMNP12 medium; proliferation of isolated colonies also started from larval fragments' cut ends. Evolution of cellular growth until confluent monolayer formation was extremely slow and was only reached 8 months post-explant, presenting a predominantly epithelioid cellular morphology. Cell growth was not successful starting from adult female ovarian tissue. lnitiation of this specie's cell growth presented different times compared to that spent on cell cultivation of other mosquitoes, which indicates that, in spite of using similar methodology in the process in order to obtain primary cell cultures, cell adaptations to physical, environmental and nutritional conditions are different for each one of the,species. This is the first report of cell cultures of a species of mosquito belonging to the Psorophora genus.Con el propósito de obtener una línea celular de Psorophora confinnis (Arribalzaga, 1891) para estudios de susceptibilidad a infecciones con arbovirus, se iniciaron los cultivos primarios de esta especie, vectora del virus de la encefalitis equina venezolana, tipo epidemo-epizoótico. A partir de huevos embrionados, larvas de primer estadio recién eclosionadas y ovarios de hembras adultas, se realizaron explantes por separado de tejidos embrionarios en diversos medios de cultivos, suplementados con 20% de suero fetal bovino y una mezcla de antibióticos y antimicóticos al 1%. La esterilización del material biológico se efectuó mediante la inmersión de éste en diversas sustancias, tales como: hipoclorito de sodio al 1,6%, etanol al 70% y una solución de 0,25% de cloruro de mercurio disuelto en 70% de etanol. El crecimiento celular se inició sólo en el medio MMNPl2 en un tiempo promedio de 62 días después de efectuadas las siembras, mediante la proliferación de colonias aisladas procedentes de tejidos embrionarios, y también a partir de las terminaciones de los fragmentos larvales. La evolución del crecimiento celular hasta la formación de la monocapa confluente fue supremamente lenta y sólo se alcanzó a los 8 meses post-explante, presentando ésta una morfología celular predominantemente epitelioide. No fue exitoso el crecimiento celular a partir de los tejidos ováricos de hembras adultas. La iniciación del crecimiento celular en esta especie presentó tiempos diferentes comparados con los empleados en los cultivos celulares de otros mosquitos, lo cual indica que a pesar de utilizarse una metodología similar en el proceso para obtener cultivos primarios, las adaptaciones celulares a las condiciones físicas, ambientales y nutricionales son diferentes en cada una de las especies. Este es el primer informe de cultivos celulares de una especie de mosquito perteneciente al género Psorophora
Sarconesin: Sarconesiopsis magellanica Blowfly Larval Excretions and Secretions With Antibacterial Properties
Larval therapy (LT) is an alternative treatment for healing chronic wounds; its action is based on debridement, the removal of bacteria, and stimulating granulation tissue. The most important mechanism when using LT for combating infection depends on larval excretions and secretions (ES). Larvae are protected against infection by a spectrum of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs); special interest in AMPs has also risen regarding understanding their role in wound healing since they degrade necrotic tissue and kill different bacteria during LT. Sarconesiopsis magellanica (Diptera: Calliphoridae) is a promising medically-important necrophagous fly. This article reports a small AMP being isolated from S. magellanica ES products for the first time; these products were obtained from third-instar larvae taken from a previously-established colony. ES were fractionated by RP-HPLC using C18 columns for the first analysis; the products were then lyophilised and their antimicrobial activity was characterized by incubation with different bacterial strains. These fractions’ primary sequences were determined by mass spectrometry and de novo sequencing; five AMPs were obtained, the Sarconesin fraction was characterized and antibacterial activity was tested in different concentrations with minimum inhibitory concentrations starting at 1.2 μM. Potent inhibitory activity was shown against Gram-negative (Escherichia coli D31, E. coli DH5α, Salmonella enterica ATCC 13314, Pseudomonas aeruginosa 27853) and Gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 29213, S. epidermidis ATCC 12228, Micrococcus luteus A270) bacteria. Sarconesin has a significant similarity with Rho-family GTPases which are important in organelle development, cytoskeletal dynamics, cell movement, and wound repair. The data reported here indicated that Sarconesin could be an alternative candidate for use in therapeutics against Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacterial infections. Our study describes one peptide responsible for antibacterial activity when LT is being used. The results shown here support carrying out further experiments aimed at validating S. magellanica AMPs as novel resources for combating antibacterial resistance
Estudios comparativos del ciclo de vida del mosquito Aedes taeniorhynchus (Diptera: culicidae) de dos colonias de la costa atlántica colombiana
This pilot study was carried out in the laboratory to establish whether the Aedes taeniorhynchus mosquito, found in Cartagena and Barranquilla, is really a single strain and if the colonisation process (cultured in the laboratory) influences the time taken in the developmental stages of this dipthera's life cycle. Colonies were established with adult mosquitoes, both males and females, collected from sites close to the cities of Cartagena and Barranquilla.The insects were taxonomically identified and placed in Gerberg jars into which cupfuls of humid earth were introduced so that oviposition could take place. Six continuous generations were kept at an average temperature of 27°C and 80% average relative humidity. lmmature forms were fed with minced Ken-L; sugar solution was given to adults of both sexes and females were given a guinea pig to provide their blood intake. The duration of each stage of the biological cycle for each generation was recorded and these were analysed by means of the t-test for comparison of averages of independent samples. For larva (t=1 .SI) and pupa (k0.30) duration time for the two mosquito populations no significant differences were found; however, hatching time, when it occurred, was k4.21. No significant differences were found for pupa or for larva hatching duration time for the six generations of mosquito from Cartagena, but when significant differences in larval stage duration time were presented, they occurred from the fourth generation onwards. This pilot study's results suggest that the Aedes taeniorhynchus mosquito from Cartagena and Barranquilla represents a sole species. Furthermore, it shows that its colonisation process, being that which involves the adaptation of this insect to the special conditions and have an influence on the duration of its biological cycle.Este estudio se realizó con el propósito de establecer, en forma preliminar, en el laboratorio, si el mosquito Aedes taeniorhynchus procedente de Barranquilla y Cartagena es realmente una sola cepa y si el proceso de colonización (cría en el laboratorio) influye en el tiempo de duración de las etapas de desarrollo del ciclo de vida de este díptero. Las colonias se establecieron con mosquitos adultos, machos y hembras, recolectados en lugares cercanos a Barranquilla y Cartagena. Los insectos se identificaron taxonómicamente y se colocaron en jaulas Gerberg, en las que se introdujeron tazas con tierra húmeda para que las hembras ovipositaran. De cada localidad, se mantuvieron seis generaciones continuas a una temperatura promedio de 27°C y una humedad relativa promedio de 80%. Los estadios inmaduros se alimentaron con Ken-L molido; los adultos de los dos sexos, con solución azucarada y a las hembras se les colocó un curí para que tomaran su comida de sangre. Se registraron los tiempos de duración de cada etapa del ciclo biológico en cada una de las generaciones y se analizaron por medio de la prueba t de comparación de promedios para muestras independientes. Para los tiempos de duración de larva (t=1,51) y pupa (t=0,30) de las dos poblaciones del mosquito, no se encontraron diferencias significativas; sin embargo, para el tiempo de eclosión de la larva sí las hubo (t=4,21). Al relacionar las seis generaciones de Cartagena no se encontraron diferencias significativas para el tiempo de duración de pupa y eclosión de la larva, pero sí se presentaron a partir de la cuarta generación, para el tiempo de duración de los estadios larvarios. Los resultados de este estudio preliminar sugieren que el mosquito Aedes taeniorhynchus de Barranquilla y Cartagena representa una sola especie. Se demostró, además, que su proceso de colonización, el cual involucra la adaptación de este insecto a las condiciones específicas de un insectario, influye en la duración de su ciclo biológico
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