Fluorescent Dyes for Mating and Recovery Studies with Cabbage Looper Moths1

Abstract

Larvae of the cabbage looper, Trichoplusia ni (Hubner), fed fluorescent dyes incorporated In their diet voidedThe materials soon after the source of dye was removed. Permanent marking to aid in studies of migration and behavior was not attained, but the technique may be suitable for short-term studies. Aqueous sprays of rhodamlne B were the most effective of 6 fluorescent dyes for marking cabbage looper moths. On mating, male moths fed rhodamine B transferred stained spermatophores. Of 31 additional dyes screened for this effect, 14 stained the spermatophores of the male and were transferred to the female on mating. Females fed rhodamine B laid red-tinted eggs.