Field retention of a novel mark-release-recapture method

A field cage study was conducted that compared the retention time between a novel immunolabeling mark-release-recapture marking technique with the more conventional insect marker, fluorescent dust. Commercially purchased convergent lady beetles, Hippodamia convergens Guerin-Meneville, were marked with either a rabbit immunoglobulin G (IgG) or a chicken IgG solution. The beetles were then released into separate field cages, recaptured daily, and assayed by both sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and direct ELISA for the presence of IgG markers. A 3rd group of convergent lady beetles were marked with dust, released into a cage, recaptured daily, and examined under a dissecting microscope for the presence of the fluorescent marker. Data indicate that IgG markers were retained much longer than fluorescent dust. Additionally, the rabbit IgG had a greater retention time than chicken IgG. The advantages of using IgG markers for mark-release-recapture studies over the current mark-release-recapture techniques are discussed.