Author
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Hagler, James |
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Jackson, Charles |
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Submitted to: Environmental Entomology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal Publication Acceptance Date: 9/1/1998 Publication Date: N/A Citation: N/A Interpretive Summary: The first problem encountered in most insect ecology studies is the lack of a convenient method to mark insects so their behavior or dispersal can be reliably monitored. Presently, the most advanced marking procedure utilizes the trace element, Rubidium (Rb). Generally, insects are "coated" (i.e. marked) with Rb, released into the field, and recaptured and analyzed for the presence of Rb by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. This technique is effective for most insects, it is laborious, expensive, dangerous, and requires specialized equipment and experienced personnel to operate the equipment. Rb has been shown to adversely affect some insects. This manuscript describes a novel biological marking technique that circumvents the drawbacks inherent to trace element analyses. This study describes a novel method to mark minute parasitoids with vertebrate-specific proteins. In turn, marked individuals can be immunologically examined using safe, readily available, and inexpensive immunoreagents. The immunoassay used to identify the marked individuals is rapid, easy to apply, and requires no specialized laboratory equipment. The immunoassay procedure is very similar to home pregnancy test kits sold over the shelf at any drug store. Insects can be labelled and analyzed at a fraction of the cost and time that it would take if using some of the more conventional techniques. The data presented here could have profound ramifications on future studies examining insect dispersal. Technical Abstract: A laboratory study was conducted to examine the efficacy of a novel immunomarking technique on Anaphes iole Girault the minute parasitoid of Lygus spp. eggs. Adult A. iole were marked with the readily available mammal protein, rabbit immunoglobulin G (IgG) by three different application methods. Adult parasitoids were marked internally by feeding them a honey solution "spiked" with rabbit IgG and externally by contact exposure or topical mist. Marked individuals were then assayed using a sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for the presence of the IgG marker using an antibody specific to rabbit IgG (anti-rabbit IgG developed in goat). Data indicate that the IgG marker was retained throughout the entire adult lifespan in almost (98.9%) every individual parasitoid assayed, regardless of the application method used. The advantages and limitations of using immunomarkers for mark-release- recapture (M-R-R) studies involving minute insects are discussed. |
