A Monoclonal Antibody to the Shield Beetle Cassida rubiginosa (Coleoptera, Chrysomelidae): A Tool for Predator Gut Analysis

t g g n t a i c a We describe the development of a monoclonal antiody (MAb) to the hemolymph of fifth-instar larvae of he shield beetle, Cassida rubiginosa Muell. (Coleopera, Chrysomelidae), to be used as a tool for predator ut analysis. The MAb reacts with all life stages of C. ubiginosa, shows no cross-reactions outside the geus Cassida (31 herbivorous insect species and 12 otential predators of C. rubiginosa were tested), and s less reactive with other Cassida species than with C. ubiginosa. Specificity tests were conducted using an ndirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Western lot analysis following SDS–PAGE showed that the Ab reacts with a single protein of molecular weight 2 kDa. The immunoblot of a native PAGE showed a eaction with three bands, the monomer of 32 kDa and wo bands with approximate molecular weights of 60 nd 90 kDa. Using this MAb, we were able to unambiguusly identify individuals of the model predator Nabis irmicoides Costa (Hemiptera, Nabidae) after feeding n one C. rubiginosa last-instar larva. The MAb may be seful for predator gut analysis to identify the predaor complex of C. rubiginosa. r 1999 Academic Press