Two monoclonal antibodies (Mabs), that react in an enzyme linked immunoabsorbant assay, were generated against Aedes aegypti vitellin. One of these Mabs, VIIG9 that reacted predominantly with a 64 kDa component of Ae. aegypti yolk protein, also recognized 68 kDa and 66 kDa components in the yolk proteins of Culex sitiens and Cx. annulirostris, respectively. Mab VIIG9 has been used to detect vitellin or vitellin precursors in gravid female and non-blood fed nulliparous female mosquitoes as a possible age grading method. The presence of polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies to vitellin in the blood meal did not affect the fecundity of Ae. aegypti.
