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Research Article
ScienceAsia 26 (2000) : 131-135 |doi: 10.2306/scienceasia1513-1874.2000.26.131
Detection of Mosquito Larval Antigens in a Natural
Predator by Using a Simple Immunological Technique
Araya Dharmkrong-at Chusattayanonda,*, Kosol Roongruangchaia, Chaweephant
Suangkiatikulb and Sangvorn Kitthaweeb
ABSTRACT: A simple technique for seeking natural predators to mosquito larvae was developed. In the
present study, adult backswimmers, a natural predator to mosquito larvae, were used as a model. The
adult predators were fed with larvae and pupae of Aedes aegypti and tested for the presence of antigens
of the mosquito larvae at 1, 2, 4, 6 and 24 hr thereafter. The test was performed using an immunological
precipitation reaction in gel against immune rabbit serum obtained from 2 rabbits repeatedly immunized
with aqueous somatic extract of A. aegypti larvae and pupae. One major and 2 to 3 minor precipitin
bands were demonstrated from the predators at 1 to 6 hr after feeding. No precipitin reaction was
observed at 24 hr. However, a reaction of partial identity was observed between the antigens of A. aegypti and those of Culex quinquefasciatus larvae. It can be concluded that the immunological
precipitation reaction in gel can be used as a simple tool for seeking natural predators to mosquito
larvae. Further study is needed to make it possible to identify the predated species of mosquito larvae
within the body of the predator.
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a Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand.
b Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand.
* Corresponding author
Received 5 Aug 1999, Accepted 8 May 2000
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