Use of a Fluorophore to Tag Arthropods for Mark-Release-Recapture Type Research |
| |
| Authors: | James R Hagler Allya M Hull Miles T Casey Scott A Machtley |
| |
| Institution: | USDA-ARS, Arid-Land Agricultural Research Center, 21882 North Cardon Lane, Maricopa, AZ 85138, USA |
| |
| Abstract: | We examined the feasibility of externally marking insects with the liquid fluorescent forensic theft deterrent, SmartWater (SmartWater CSI, LLC.). We sprayed captive Lygus hesperus (Knight) (Hemiptera: Miridae), Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae), and Hippodamia convergens Guérin-Méneville (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) with SmartWater fluorophore, and then qualitatively examined them for fluorescence by visual inspection under ultraviolet (UV) light and quantitatively measured them with a multiwavelength microplate fluorometer. The results indicate that this product has enormous potential as a taggant for L. hesperus and B. tabaci. However, the marking efficiency for H. convergens was only adequate. The advantages and limitations of using SmartWater as a biological marker for arthropod mark-release-recapture research are discussed. |
| |
| Keywords: | fluorescent mark dispersal central point release Bemisia tabaci Lygus hesperus |
|
|
