Fig. 1. : sketch of large laboratory cages. Three identical screened cages just over 5 m3 were used. Cages were randomly assigned as follows: cage A contained fertile females and fertile males in a 1:1 ratio (control), cage B fertile females, fertile males and sterilised males in a 1:1:5 ratio and cage C fertile females, fertile males and sterilised males in a 1:1:2 ratio. The access to each cage was achieved through of sleeves. A table was located inside the cages to place animals for mosquito blood-feeding, oviposition containers, recipients with pupae to release and sugar source. CDC light traps were hung inside the cage and again accessed through sleeves.
