Deuterium Labelling Study in an Insect: An Undergraduate Experiment

Location

Village Square

Start Date

6-5-2022 12:00 PM

Department

Chemistry

Abstract

As part of our continuing effort to expand undergraduate experiments possible with a colony of the beneficial insect Podisus maculiventris (Spined Soldier Bug), we provided deuterium oxide in place of water to adults and various stages of instars see if deuterium was incorporated into the volatile organic molecules is produced in the pheromone glands. The bugs are normally fed mealworm pupae (Tenebrio molitor) and tap water. Males produce a pheromone consisting primarily of (E)-2-hexenal, benzyl alcohol, and alpha terpineol, stored in dorsal abdominal glands and readily available for analysis by dissection and gas chromatography – mass spectrometry. The deuterium treatment did not cause significant mortality compared with a control group. Our preliminary results of the pheromone analysis will be presented.

Faculty Sponsor

Charles Abrams, Truman College

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May 6th, 12:00 PM

Deuterium Labelling Study in an Insect: An Undergraduate Experiment

Village Square

As part of our continuing effort to expand undergraduate experiments possible with a colony of the beneficial insect Podisus maculiventris (Spined Soldier Bug), we provided deuterium oxide in place of water to adults and various stages of instars see if deuterium was incorporated into the volatile organic molecules is produced in the pheromone glands. The bugs are normally fed mealworm pupae (Tenebrio molitor) and tap water. Males produce a pheromone consisting primarily of (E)-2-hexenal, benzyl alcohol, and alpha terpineol, stored in dorsal abdominal glands and readily available for analysis by dissection and gas chromatography – mass spectrometry. The deuterium treatment did not cause significant mortality compared with a control group. Our preliminary results of the pheromone analysis will be presented.