MOS55 cells were infected with recombinant DNV sample corresponding to 5 × 108 of recombinant virus. For quantification of the viral DNA genome, the supernatant of infected cells was collected at indicated days after infection. EGFP expression in the cell line was observed using an Axiovert S100 fluorescence microscope (Zeiss) and images captured using a ProgRes CF camera (Jenoptik). EGFP signal was quantified by flow cytometry on a Cytomics FC500 (Beckman Coulter). Data were analyzed using BD LSRFortessa (BD Biosciences) and FlowJo software. Anopheles gambiae adults were intrathoracically injected according to Hughes et al. (2011)68 (link) with the indicated viral copy number of recombinant DNV virions. Fluorescence in mosquitoes and dissected tissues was monitored at indicated days post-injection using an Olympus BX-41 microscope. Images were processed using PictureFrame software (Olympus).