In insects that develop eggs following adult eclosion, vitellogenesis is often triggered in response to a protein meal. In response to dietary cues, vitellogenin is synthesized by fat body, transported in hemolymph, endocytosed by the ovarian follicle, and incorporated as yolk protein (vitellin) into developing oocytes. We have hypothesized that the initial magnitude of synthetic response to diet is determined by dietary quality. If so, this response can be quantitated and may be used to predict fecundity, given a constant source of nutrition throughout oviposition. Monoclonal antibody-based immunoserological assays (ELISA) were developed to quantitate the yolk protein (vitellin) content of individual Podisus maculiventris and Orius insidosus. The ELISA detects very low quantities of vitellin (mg or ng/insect), allowing quantitation of response of a female to diet and other rearing conditions. Methods were developed to extract and sample individuals, and used to study response to diets over time after feeding. The assay will be used to support diet development and quality control during rearing.
Species 1: Hemiptera Pentatomidae Podisus maculiventris (spined soldier bug)
Species 2: Hemiptera Anthocoridae Orius insidiosus (insidious flower bug, minute pirate bug)
Keywords: oogenesis, nutrition
The ESA 2001 Annual Meeting - 2001: An Entomological Odyssey of ESA