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TOPICAL APPLICATION OF MOBILE LIQUIDS TO INSECTS BY MEANS OF MICRO‐CAPILLARY TUBES
Author(s) -
HEWLETT P. S.,
LLOYD C. J.
Publication year - 1960
Publication title -
annals of applied biology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.677
H-Index - 80
eISSN - 1744-7348
pISSN - 0003-4746
DOI - 10.1111/j.1744-7348.1960.tb03511.x
Subject(s) - biology , capillary action , materials science , composite material
A method is described for topical application of mobile liquids, whether volatile or not, to insects. The principle is that of the self‐filling micro‐pipette, the ‘pipettes’ being calibrated lengths of fine, thin‐walled glass capillary tube; for use a micro‐capillary tube is mounted in a special holder. The doses delivered were shown to be adequately reproducible for mean doses of 0.03 μl. upwards. Precautions in use are: (1) in filling the capillary, its tip is dipped into the reservoir of liquid no more deeply than is necessary: (2) the dose is applied to the insect in such a way that the liquid is carried rapidly away from the delivery tip; and (3) pressure for expulsion of the dose from the capillary is maintained until after the delivery tip is removed from the insect. A convenient apparatus for keeping a batch of insects under anaesthesia during their dosage is described.