DNA-friendly killing agents

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Gaikwad Swapnil Sopan on April 8, 2011 at 1:57am

Yes freezing is better potion. But I think its better to kill these beauties by pressing their abdomen or pressing between head and thorax once you catch them. Hoever later one is better otion. I don't recommend chemical killing method as it might interfere in downstream applications.

Permalink Reply by Mansi Mungee on April 8, 2011 at 3:01am

I agree with Swapnil. Gentle squeeze on the thorax works well and does not cause any intermediate or downstream DNA damage. We have used killing jars (with chloroform soaked cotton) also for collecting and killing Moths and the DNA quality or yield was not compromised in anyway but I would still recommend the former technique as chloroform is known to be used extensively for DNA extraction procedures.

Permalink Reply by Matthew Bowser on April 8, 2011 at 3:00pm

Thank you for those recommendations.  I'll be dealing more with small moths than larger Lepidoptera.  Freezing will not be available to me in the field, although I suppose I could bring dry ice.  What can be used in traps, e.g. UV light traps, as a killing agent that will not degrade DNA?

Permalink Reply by Gaikwad Swapnil Sopan on April 8, 2011 at 11:58pm

Dear Matthew,

According to my personal experience, no much damage to DNA is done if you keep specimen for one day in your collection kit. Yes of course after returning to the lab one should keep them at zero degrees or minus twenty. Immediate killing is important so that fluttering of wings won't damage the wings which in worse case might affect the identification. 

So I suggest you to go for any physical method to kill the specimen instead of taking dry ice along with you in the field causing inconvenience.

Permalink Reply by Matthew Bowser on April 13, 2011 at 2:55pm

Dear Swapnil,

 

Thank you for that advice.

 

Sincerely,

 

Matt