Use of Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate (SDS) as a Clearing Agent for Chironomid Larvae Prior to Slide Mounting

Abstract

Chironomid larvae must generally be made more transparent prior to slide mounting to facilitate the observation of structures utilized in taxonomic identification. We present a new technique for clearing chironomid larvae using sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS). This technique produces excellent contrast for viewing structures utilized in identification, especially many of the smaller details such as, Lauterborn organs and the antennal blade, that may be obscured by other techniques.