T HE G ROWTH AND D EVELOPMENT OF M OSQUITO LARVAE IN 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

Q UESTION AND A NSWER 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. 2 2

O UR F INDINGS Space: 3 eggs hatched 1 larvae found No pupae or adults were found Earth: 2 eggs found No larvae found No pupae or adults were found 3 Based on these results, we cannot draw any absolute conclusions.

F ACTORS ON THE S PACECRAFT Amount of air the mosquitoes received Amount of food available Number of viable eggs 4

E XPERIMENTAL O VERVIEW 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. 5 5

E XPERIMENTAL O VERVIEW P ART 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). 6 6

W HO C ARES ? 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.) 7 7

8 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 8

A NY Q UESTIONS ? 9 9