Identification of Mosquito Blood Meals by Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay *

Abstract

A micro enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for identifying mosquito blood meals is described. Antisera for the assay were prepared in rabbits and guinea pigs and purified by precipitation with cross-reacting blood sera. Positive blood source identifications could be made to the generic level using as little as 58 µg of ingested blood serum. The blood meals of 37 of 38 laboratory mosquitoes fed on seven host animals were correctly identified, including a mosquito that contained a double feed.