DEVELOPMENT OF A MONOCLONAL-ANTIBODY TO DETECT PREDATION OF THE SWEET-POTATO WHITEFLY, BEMISIA-TABACI

We have developed an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for det ection of whitefly antigen in the guts of predaceous arthropods based on a monoclonal antibody (MAb) produced in response to Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) (Homoptera: Aleyrodidae) egg antigen. We observed positive antigen-antibody reactions with the egg and the adult female stages o f certain whitefly species and not with others. This MAb did not cross -react with any of the whitefly nymphs or adult males we tested. Moreo ver, this MAb did not cross-react with the various life stages of othe r insect species we examined. This immunologically-based technique to identify whitefly egg facilitates examinations of predator gut content s in the field. Such a specific and sensitive whitefly egg immunoassay will expedite the characterization of the B. tabaci predator complex in the southwestern United States.