Evaluation of readmission ink as a marker for dispersal studies with the oriental fruit fly, Bactrocera dorsalis

Abstract

In this text we present a new marking dye, readmission ink, Blak-Ray, for the purpose of insect movement studies. The dye was tested in a controlled experiment with Bactrocera dorsalis (Hendel) (Diptera: Tephritidae) in anticipation of a long distance movement study planned for the following year with the same species. 700 individuals of both sexes were marked with the dye and placed in holding containers. Both the percentage of mortality and the ease of dye detection were monitored throughout a five-week period. Results showed minimal fly mortality and exceptional ease of dye detection.

Keywords: insect movement studies, invasive species, longevity, marking, mark-release-recapture

Correspondence: ^a kgdirt@aol.com, ^b steven_peck@byu.edu, ^c Grant.McQuate@ars.usda.gov, *Corresponding author

Editor: Tugrul Giray was Editor of this paper.

Received: 20 October 2010 | Accepted: 5 August 2011 | Published: 21 September 2011

Copyright: This is an open access paper. We use the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 license that permits unrestricted use, provided that the paper is properly attributed.  

ISSN: 1536-2442 | Volume 11, Number 125

Froerer KM, Peck SL, McQuate GT. 2011. Evaluation of readmission ink as a marker for dispersal studies with the oriental fruit fly, Bactrocera dorsalis. Journal of Insect Science 11:125 available online: insectscience.org/11.125