Effect of three larval diets on larval development and male sexual performance of Anopheles gambiae s.s.

•Diets 2 and Diet 3 affected positively larval development.•Males fed on a 2% solution of Diet 2 had a shorter development time and the best scores for insemination success.•The amount of energy reserves may impact on the life spans of males.•Diets 2 should be chosen as best for producing males suitable for the objectives of the SIT.