THE SPECIFICITY OF THE PRECIPITIN REACTION, AS USED IN THE STUDY OF MOSQUITO FEEDING HABITS

Abstract

Reared Aedes aegypti (Linnaeus) mosquitoes fed under controlled conditions in the laboratory are used to determine the degree of specificity of the precipitin reaction as used in the study of mosquito feeding habits. Three hosts for which antisera have been prepared are used, namely, human, rabbit, and guinea pig. The experiments disclose (1) a high degree of specificity (over 95%) for the precipitin reaction as used in this connection, (2) that multiple reactions signify multiple feedings, and (3) that significant results can be secured by applying the test to undistended mosquitoes from a field collection.