Enzyme immunoassay measurements of the molting hormone in different post-embryonic stages of two mosquito species, Culex pipiens and Culiseta longiareolata

Abstract

Due to their large geographical distribution, abundance and harmfulness, Culex pipiens L. and Culiseta longiareolata Macquart are the two most remarkable mosquito species in Algeria. The nature and the level of ecdysteroids from whole body extracts of different post-embryonic stages of the two mosquito species was made by an enzyme-immunoassay (EIA) using two specific antibodies, the rat monoclonal EC 19 antibody showing a high affinity for 20-hydroxyecdysone (20E) and the rabbit polyclonal B antibody with a strong affinity for ecdysone (E). EIA measurements confirmed the presence of two main hormones in the two mosquito species: E and 20E. Moreover, there is a predominance of 20E.

Key words: Mosquitoes, Culex pipiens, Culiseta longiareolata, hormone, enzyme-immunoassay (EIA).