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ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Maricopa, Arizona » U.S. Arid Land Agricultural Research Center » Pest Management and Biocontrol Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #217117
Title: Methods to Mark Termites with Protein for Mark-Release-Recapture and Mark-Capture Type Studies.

Author
item Hagler, James
item BAKER, P - UOFA
item MARCHOSKY, R - UOFA
item Machtley, Scott
item BELLAMY, B - ED&A CONSULT,BUCKLEY,WA

Submitted to: Insectes Sociaux
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 3/6/2009
Publication Date: 3/25/2009
Citation: Hagler, J.R., Baker, P.B., Marchosky, R., Machtley, S.A., Bellamy, B.E. 2009. Methods to Mark Termites with Protein for Mark-Release-Recapture and Mark-Capture Type Studies.Insectes Sociaux 56: 213-220

Interpretive Summary: Studies were conducted to investigate the feasibility of marking the southwestern desert subterranean termite with the protein marker, rabbit immunoglobulin G (IgG). Laboratory studies were conducted to determine how long rabbit IgG is retained on or in termites that were marked either externally with a topical spray, internally by feeding them a rabbit IgG marked food source, or both internally and externally (double marked). Marked termites were detected by an easy-to-use immunological assay. Data indicated that the termites retained the mark well for up to 42 days, regardless of the marking procedure. A second series of laboratory studies were conducted to determine how fast the termite acquire the mark after feeding on cardboard bait that was either sprayed or soaked in different purities and concentrations of rabbit IgG. The IgGs tested were a highly purified and costly reagent grade IgG and a less pure and less costly technical grade rabbit IgG. The results showed that termites acquired both marks equally well after exposure to the soaked cardboard treatment. The advantages and limitations of protein marking termites with rabbit IgG are discussed.

Technical Abstract: Studies were conducted to investigate the feasibility of marking the southwestern desert subterranean termite, Heterotermes aureus (Snyder), with rabbit immunoglobulin G (IgG) protein for mark-release-recapture (MRR) and mark-capture type studies. Qualitative laboratory studies were conducted to determine how long reagent-grade rabbit IgG is retained on or in H. aureus that were marked either externally with a topical spray, internally by feeding them a rabbit IgG marked food source, or both internally and externally (double marked). Marked termites were detected by an anti-rabbit IgG enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Data indicated that the termites retained the mark for up to 42 days, regardless of the marking procedure. A second series of laboratory studies were conducted to determine how fast H. aureus acquire the rabbit IgG mark after feeding on cardboard bait that was either sprayed or soaked in different purities and concentrations of rabbit IgG. The IgGs tested were a highly purified and costly reagent grade IgG at 5.0 mg/ml and a less pure and less costly technical grade rabbit IgG at 1.0 mg/ml. The results showed that termites acquired both marks equally well after exposure to the soaked cardboard treatment. The advantages and limitations of protein marking termites with rabbit IgG for MRR or mark-capture termite studies are discussed.