A Method for Marking the Rice Leaf Bug, Trigonotylus caelestialium (Kirkaldy) (Heteroptera: Miridae), with Rubidium

Abstract

Adults of the rice leaf bug, Trigonotylus caelestialium (Kirkaldy), were labeled by feeding for 24 h on wheat seedlings sprayed with 10 gl⁻¹ and 20 gl⁻¹ rubidium solution. Rubidium levels in the adult bodies were measured by a atomic absorption spectrophtometer (780 nm). Elimination data showed that the rubidium levels were maintained above detectable levels (0.1 μg per bugs) for 2–3 d after bugs left the rubidium-enriched host plants. The adult longevity and female fecundity were not affected by the treatments of rubidium. These results show that rubidium can be used to mark adult bugs.