Initiation and characterization of a diploid cell line from larval tissues of Aedes dorsalis (Meigen)

Mosquito cell cultures were initiated from the minced tissues of newly hatched Aedes dorsalis (Meigen) larvae. Continuous cell division occurred only after an adaptive period of approximately 6 months. Optimal growth of the cells required a relatively low pH of 6.5. Karyological studies showed that the cells have remained diploid (2n = 6) for 60 serial passages and that the cultures are free of contaminating cells. The cultures also were shown to be free of bacteria (including Mycoplasma), fungi and virions. Subpopulations (strains) of the original parental cultures have been selected and characterized on the basis of morphology, karyology, growth rate and monolayer formation.