Establishing a Colony from Field-Collected Eggs.

larvae are well adapted to growing and developing in containers, and therefore collecting and rearing field-collected to adulthood in the laboratory is relatively straightforward. What is substantially more challenging is simulating natural conditions that encourage adults to mate, blood feed, and reproduce in laboratory settings. In our experience, this is the most difficult hurdle to overcome when establishing new laboratory colonies. Here, we detail how to collect eggs from the field and establish a colony in the laboratory. Successfully establishing a new colony of mosquitoes in the laboratory will allow researchers to evaluate physiologically, behaviorally, and ecologically relevant aspects of their biology and better understand and manage these important disease vectors.