Oviposition-Stimulating Protein in the Eggs of Culex pipiens molestus FORSKAL (Diptera : Culicidae)

Abstract

Oviposition-stimulating protein (OSP) was partially purified from the eggs of Culex pipiens molestus FORSKAL. OSP had a molecular weight of approximately 110-200 kd, high solubility in water and sensitivity to heat or trypsin treatment. The area of OSP on PAGE was stained with Schiff reagent. By the test of oviposition-stimulancy of standard proteins against C. p. molestus, the highest activity was found in glycoprotein (bovine), followed by hemoglobin, hemocyanin, ovalbumin, serum albumin (bovine and human), conalbumin, gelatin, mucin, protamin sulphate and histone. Casein and bovine globulin showed no stimulancy at any concentration tested. Lactoalubumin showed deterrency. From these results, we concluded that glycoproteins are ovipositions-stimulants for C. pipiens molestus. The oviposition-stimulancy of sugars and amino acids was also investigated.