Resource Information |
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Slide Mounting Techniques | ||
Techniques for mealybugs and scales
1) While the insect is still in isopropyl alcohol puncture it
behind its last leg with a needle or small scalpel.
2) Place the insect into a 10% potassium hydroxide solution (2
pellets of potassium hydroxide in 6 cc of water).
3) Gently pump and tease out the contents of the insect using a
spatula. The shells of hard scales should be removed at this
time.
4) Leave the insect in the solution at room temperature for 24
hours.
5) Transfer the insect into water to rinse off the potassium
hydroxide.
6) Transfer the insect into 70% isopropyl alcohol to dehydrate.
7) Transfer the insect into 70% isopropyl alcohol with a drop of
stain and leave for 30 minutes.
8) Transfer the insect to cellusolve for 5 minutes (skip if
mounting in Hoyers).
9) Mount the insect ventral side up using Canada balsam or
Hoyers.
10) Allow the slides to dry for 10 to 14 days on a slide warmer.
11) Periodically check for air pockets. Remove them by adding
Canada balsam or Hoyers to the edge of the coverslip.
Slight heat may be necessary to displace the air pockets.
11) Ring the edge of the coverslip with Glyptal electric paint
(skip if mounting in Canada balsam). Two coats are needed to keep
out moisture.
12) Scrape away excess Canada balsam or Hoyers that seeped
out of the coverslip.
Modifications:
Whitefly pupae and light colored thrips: These may be mounted
directly without clearing in potassium hydroxide. They are
mounted dorsal side up. Staining is optional.
Dark colored aphids: These should be cleared in potassium
hydroxide. They are mounted dorsal side up.
Thrips: As with aphids, dark thrips should be cleared in
potassium hydroxide while light ones should not. They are also
mounted dorsal side up.
I would like to thank Grace Nakahashi for explaining this
technique.