Journal of Economic Entomology (2013) 106, 2006-2019

Craig B. Phillips, Ilia I. Iline, Nicola K. Richards, Max Novoselov and Mark R. McNeill (2013)
Development and validation of a quick easily used biochemical assay for evaluating the viability of small immobile arthropods
Journal of Economic Entomology 106 (5), 2006-2019
Abstract: Quickly, accurately, and easily assessing the efficacy of treatments to control sessile arthropods (e.g., scale insects) and stationary immature life stages (e.g., eggs and pupae) is problematic because it is difficult to tell whether treated organisms are alive or dead. Current approaches usually involve either maintaining organisms in the laboratory to observe them for development, gauging their response to physical stimulation, or assessing morphological characters such as turgidity and color. These can be slow, technically difficult, or subjective, and the validity of methods other than laboratory rearing has seldom been tested. Here, we describe development and validation of a quick easily used biochemical colorimetric assay for measuring the viability of arthropods that is sufficiently sensitive to test even very small organisms such as white fly eggs. The assay was adapted from a technique for staining the enzyme hexokinase to signal the presence of adenosine triphosphate in viable specimens by reducing a tetrazolium salt to formazan. Basic laboratory facilities and skills are required for production of the stain, but no specialist equipment, expertise, or facilities are needed for its use.
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Database assignments for author(s): Craig B. Phillips, Mark R. McNeill

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
quarantine treatments/regulations/aspects
control - general

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Plutella xylostella
	Acyrthosiphon pisum
	Musca domestica
	Lucilia sericata
	Sitona discoideus
	Listronotus bonariensis
	Aonidiella aurantii
	Galleria mellonella
	Aspidiotus nerii
	Dasineura mali
	Sitona obsoletus