Cultivation of Dipteran Cells in Vitro

Abstract

The utilization of insect cell cultures for studying various aspects of the pathogenic cycles of viral, protozoan and bacterial agents having an insect vector or reservoir has long been recognized (Glaser, 1917; Trager, 1938). Unfortunately, such studies have been seriously impeded by the difficulties of initiating and maintaining insect cell cultures in vitro. As recently as 1966 only two insect cell lines were available, namely Antheraea eucalypti Scott and Aedes aegypti (L.), both having been established by the same investigator (Grace, 1962, 1966). As evidence of the considerable progress made since then, the one dipteran line established by Grace has now been joined by eleven additional lines.