An improved apparatus for separation of mosquito eggs from soil

A new mosquito egg separator for extracting mosquito eggs from soil was developed. A small European washing machine was used as a basic part for breaking up the soil samples. The additional parts to complete the egg separator were designed. Structure, function and operation of the mosquito egg separator are described with the support of adequate drawings and photographs. Soil samples are broken up in the washing machine, big pieces of organic material such as branches, bark, leaves etc. are separated from soil and fine organic material. Separation of fine debris from soil is done in a cone sieve assembly. Mosquito eggs are separated from the fine debris by floatation in saturated solution of NaCl or MgSO₄ in water in the separating funnel assembly. Finally, the eggs are separated from debris under a stereo microscope with a fine pipette. A method of collecting soil samples containing mosquito eggs is also explained.