Deuterium Labelling Study in an Insect: An Undergraduate Experiment
Location
Village Square
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
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.