THE GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT OF MOSQUITO LARVAEIN SPACE

Principal Investigators:Julia Ellis, Kasia Kaputska, Gia LaSalle, and Lilyana Walsh

Collaborator: Bianca Urbina

Teacher Facilitator:Pamela Wilczynski

Berkeley Heights, New Jersey

2015 SSEP National Conference, Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum, Washington, DC, July 2-3, 2015

QUESTION AND ANSWER

Will microgravity prevent Aedes albopictus mosquitos from developing into pupae?

Based on what we observed, we can conclude that it is possible for mosquitoes to survive until the larva stage.

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OUR FINDINGS

Space:3 eggs hatched1 larvae foundNo pupae or adults

were found Earth:

2 eggs foundNo larvae foundNo pupae or adults

were found

Based on these results, we cannot draw any absolute conclusions.

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FACTORS ON THE SPACECRAFT

Amount of air the

mosquitoes

received

Amount of food

available

Number of viable

eggs

EXPERIMENTAL OVERVIEW

At the launch, eggs were dry. When Clamp A was released, water activated

development. Experiment continued for 9 days. Then astronauts released Clamp B to stop

development and fixed mosquitoes when they should have matured into pupae.

Compared results to ground truth experiment.

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EXPERIMENTAL OVERVIEW PART 2

Volume 1 included: dry mosquito eggs and nutrients (brewer’s yeast and lab chow, or hamster food).

Volume 2 included: water and air. Volume 3 included: fixative (10% neutral

buffered formalin).

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WHO CARES? Mosquitoes can serve as food stock for

crayfish and tilapia. In turn we can eat crayfish and tilapia.

In a journey to the stars, the astronauts might enjoy a break from dehydrated food.

If we can grow mosquitoes, perhaps we can grow crayfish and tilapia.

(Besides, it’s cool. Mosquitoes in outer space seem rad.)

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The following Parent Teacher Organizations:• Governor Livingston• Columbia Middle School• Thomas P. Hughes

Elementary School• Mountain Park School• William Woodruff • Mary Kay McMillin

Special thanks to Professor of Biology, Livdahl of Clark University,Worcester, MA for eggs, nutrients and special guidance.

Program coordinators:• Jim Flakker• Susan

Rembetsy

Teacher Facilitator:Pamela Wilczynski

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ANY QUESTIONS?

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