The application of ethanol-extracted Gloriosa superba for metaphase chromosome preparation in mosquitos

The application of ethanol-extracted Gloriosa superba for metaphase chromosome preparation in adult and 4^th larva Aedes aegypti revealed that 0.5-8% ethanol-extracted Gl. superba solution could be used instead of 1% colchicine in Hanks' balanced salt solution. For adult mosquitos, the metaphase rates and average number of metaphase chromosomes per positive mosquito after intrathoracic inoculation with 1-2% ethanol-extracted Gl. superba solution were 100% and 11.8 (2-16) -12.6 (3-28) in females, and 80-90% and 16.5 (1-52) - 29.89 (1-72) in males, whereas the inoculation with 1% colchicine solution yielded 80% and 50% metaphase rates, and 18.25 (1-40) and 16.5 (2-53) average number of metaphase chromosomes per positive mosquito in females and males, respectively. For 4^th stage larvae, the metaphase rates and average number of metaphase chromosomes per positive mosquito after incubation with 0.5-8% ethanol-extracted Gl. superba solution were 90-100% and 14.42 (1-65) - 64 (19-137), while incubation with 1% colchicine solution yield 100% metaphase rate and 10.9 (7-15) average number of metaphase chromosomes per positive mosquito.