Age Specific. Serological Identification of Adult Stages of Alfalfa Weevil, Hypera postica1,2

Abstract

A serological technique was developed for adult alfalfa weevil, Hypera postica (Gyllenhal). Anti-alfalfa weevil antibodies were obtained by injecting adult alfalfa weevil proteins into rabbits. This technique is specific for alfalfa weevil adults and can differentiate between alfalfa weevil and the weevil, Sitona hispidula (F.), as well as between physiological states of the alfalfa weevil, i.e., newly emerged, diapausing, or ovipositing adults. This specificity suggests a new field use for the precipitin technique; to determine relative ages of field collected alfalfa weevils. This procedure produced antiserum that was not suitable for predation studies. The proteins which react with the antiserum are quickly degraded in the gut of a predatory carabid beetle suspected of preying upon alfalfa weevils in the field.