The application of ethanol-extracted Gloriosa superba for metaphase chromosome
preparation in adult and 4th
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.