PRODUCTION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF MONOCLONAL-ANTIBODIES AGAINST THE EU-LISTED PEST THRIPS PALMI

Thrips palmi is a polyphagous, EU-listed pest which has greatly Expand ed its geographic range irt the last 18 years. Originating in south-ea st Asia T. palmi is now found throughout the Pacific, in Florida, in t he Caribbean and in South America. Direct feeding damage causes econom ic loss, but it has also been shown to be a vector of tospoviruses. Mo noclonal antibodies (MAbs) were raised against T. palmi for use in a r apid detection system to facilitate measures to prevent its establishm ent in the UK. These were characterized through cross-reactivity studi es with other insects including the two species of thrips most commonl y found under glass in the UK, Frankliniella occidentalis and T. tabac i. Several promising cell lines secreting MAb that showed specificity to T. palmi were produced. Alongside this work antigen characterizatio n studies through protein profiles produced by SDS PAGE were carried o ut. The purpose of these studies was to identify any protein bands tha t were specific for T. palmi and the other insects studied. These coul d then be used as antigens for the production of additional specific M Abs. Profiles were analysed by scanning laser densitometer and clear d ifferences between the band patterns of the different species were app arent. The implications of this work and the practical considerations inherent in producing a modern diagnostic assay for quarantine work ar e discussed.