title: A simple non-invasive technique for venom milking from a solitary wasp Delta conoideum Gmelin (Hymenoptera: Vespidae).
abstract: Prospecting wasp, ant and bee venom for active bio-molecules has gained considerable interest among researchers in recent years. Collecting sufficient quantity of venom from solitary wasps without sacrificing them is often difficult. Here we describe a non-invasive technique for collecting venom from a solitary wasp Delta conoideum Gmelin (Red-backed potter wasp). Venom was milked by presenting an agar block to a single female wasp for stinging. The venom was extracted from the agar block using ACN: water solvent system. The total protein in venom was estimated quantitatively and the presence of peptides in the venom was confirmed by MALDI-TOF analysis. The proposed technique is non-invasive and pure venom can be repeatedly 'milked' using this method from other wasps and also bees without the need for sacrificing a large number of individuals.
authors.affiliation: School of Ecology and Conservation, University of Agricultural Sciences, GKVK, Bangalore 560065, India; Department of Agricultural Entomology, University of Agricultural Sciences, GKVK, Bangalore 560065, India.
authors.forename: Naga Chaitanya
authors.initials: NC
authors.lastname: Bhagavathula
authors.affiliation: National Centre for Biological Sciences (NCBS), GKVK, Bellary Road, Bangalore 560012, India.
authors.forename: Mukesh
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kumar
authors.affiliation: Department of Agricultural Entomology, University of Agricultural Sciences, GKVK, Bangalore 560065, India. Electronic address: kchandra58@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Chandrashekra
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Krishnappa
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D006927:Hymenoptera / Q000378:metabolism*; D014862:Wasp Venoms / Q000302:isolation & purification*
chemical_list: D014862:Wasp Venoms
keywords: Hymenoptera; MALDI TOF; Solitary wasp; Sting; Venom