Use of a Fluorophore to Tag Arthropods for Mark-Release-Recapture Type Research.

James R Hagler, Allya M Hull, Miles T Casey, Scott A Machtley

Journal of insect science (Online) 2021 Nov 01

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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. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of Entomological Society of America 2021.

Citation

James R Hagler, Allya M Hull, Miles T Casey, Scott A Machtley. Use of a Fluorophore to Tag Arthropods for Mark-Release-Recapture Type Research. Journal of insect science (Online). 2021 Nov 01;21(6)