ISSN: 0022-1198
CODEN: JFSCA
Published Online: 27 July 2005
Page Count: 4

Conditioned Microplitis croceipes Cresson (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) Detect and Respond to 2,4-DNT: Development of a Biological Sensor
Rains, G
University of Georgia, GA

Tomberlin, JK

Tertuliano, M
University of Georgia, GA

Lewis, WJ
United States Department of Agriculture, GA

(Received 12 January 2005; accepted 20 March 2005)

Abstract

We examined the ability of M. croceipes to learn, detect, and respond to 2,4-DNT, which is a volatile discriminator of trinitrotoluene (TNT). The percentage of conditioned wasps to detect and respond to the various concentrations of 2,4-DNT for ≥ 15 sec was measured. Significantly more of the conditioned wasps responded to the concentration of 2,4-DNT used for conditioning than other concentrations examined. Accordingly, percent conditioned wasps to respond ≥15 sec could be used as a suitable measure to screen air samples and distinguish between samples with or without the target odorant. The data recorded in this study indicate the measured behavior could be used to estimate the concentration of target odorants. Data in this study indicate M. croceipes can detect and respond to this compound, which provide further support for its development as a biological sensor.

Keywords:
forensic science, forensic entomology, Microplitis croceipes, parasitic wasp, biological sensor, 2,4-DNT

Paper ID: JFS2005014
DOI: 10.1520/JFS2005014
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