Immunological detection of Helicoverpa armigera (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) ingested by heteropteran predators:: Time-related decay and effect of meal size on detection period

Indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), dot blot, and squash blot were compared for sensitivity and ease of use for detecting Helicoverpa armigera (Hubner) egg antigen using an egg-specific monoclonal antibody. The,est results were obtained Ly dot blot, although several indirect ELISA conditions were tried. Three of the main predator species in Mediterranean vegetable crops-Dicyphus tamaninii Wagner and Macrolophus caliginosus Wagner (Hemiptera: Miridae), and Orius majusculus (Reuter) (Hemiptera: Anthocoridae)-which had fed on H. armigera eggs, were assayed LS dot blot to detect egg antigen in their gut. The prey was detected in all samples. Another study was conducted to determine the effect of meal size and time after feeding on the prey detection period in D. tamaninii. The proportion of prey remaining at various time intervals after feeding was measured. Curves were fitted to exponential and linear models and detection periods were estimated. The decline in prey detection over time was fitted with art exponential model for predators that ate 1 egg and a linear model for predators that ate 10 eggs. Therefore, meal size produces a considerable difference in the rate of decline and the estimated detection periods.