Anti-larval antibodies reduces the fecundity of malaria vector Anopheles stephensi (Diptera: Insecta)

Rabbits were immunized with larval polypeptides of Anopheles stephensi. High titer of antibodies (104–107) was detected by ELISA The effect of feeding of this antisera on fecundity, mortality and hatchability of A. stephensi was investigated. Fecundity was reduced drastically by about 40% and 11% increase in mortality was recorded. Nine polypeptides were recognized by the antisera raised against larval proteins viz., 110, 91, 82, 65.5, 50, 45, 35.5, 16 and 14.5 kDa. Cross reactivity of these antigens with different stages of A. stephensi was also analyzed. The results indicate that anti-mosquito larval antibodies have that potential to disrupt the reproductive physiology of mosquitoes and indicate the need for further studies with target antigens.