Preservation of anopheline mosquitoes for DNA probe analysis

Anopheles (Cellia) farauti Laveran sensu stricto adults were subjected to a range of conditions similar to those experienced by trap-collected mosquitoes prior to processing. Squash blots of these specimens were then analyzed using isotopic DNA probes. Freezing and thawing 6 times and dry storage on silica gel in a vacuum desiccator for up to 180 days did not affect the quality of the DNA. Exposure to conditions of high humidity and high temperature for more than 2 h seriously reduced the quality of the DNA.