Insect blood cells or hemocytes play an important role in the defense against
parasites and other pathogenic organisms. However, the hemocyte types of three mosquito
vectors, Aedes togoi, Anopheles lesteri and Culex quinquefasiatus are not well known.
Therefore, the aim of this study was to characterize the hemocytes of these three mosquito
species based on morphology using light microscopy. The abdominal cutting and perfusion
method was used in this study as it took the fewest steps, provided the largest number of
hemocytes and yielded less contamination with fat body cells. Hemocyte typing, based on
morphology, revealed three types of hemocytes (prohemocytes, oenocytoids and
granulocytes) that were contained in the hemolymph of all three mosquito species. This
study demonstrated that the use of distinct morphology with light microscopy provided
sufficient criteria to characterize and differentiate mosquito hemocytes. This technique
will be useful in terms of cost saving and for new researchers who begin to study in this
field.