Sample information

The specimen was collected using a flying insect trap containing banana peels and vinegar per the Arthropod Collection Traps Guide provided by the Wolbachia Project. The trap was hung from a tree branch adjacent to a small creek in a suburban backyard for two days. The trap was cut open and the (predominantly flying) insects were removed and preserved in 70% alcohol. The trap was then placed on the ground for an additional three days capturing additional insects. These insects included both crawling and flying insects. These insects were removed and preserved in 70% alcohol. 

The specimen was identified as a bee (Anthophila) using the iNaturalist app.  

Methods

GoTaqGreen polymerase was used. Reaction conditions were per Lab 3: PCR (Wolbachia Project Guide) for duplex reaction PCRs. The PCR reaction volume was 25 uL. 10 uL of each reaction was run on a 2% agarose gel. The relevant lane (lane 3), for the specimen #28 is boxed.

Results

No PCR product of ~440 bp (which is the correct size for the Wolbachia product) was produced. A~700 bp (correct size for the CO1 product) was produced, indicating the DNA isolated from the specimen is of suitable quality for PCR. All control reactions (Lanes 6 through 10) worked as they should. The positive control is DNA extracted from a control insect infected with Wolbachia, while the negative control is DNA extracted from an uninfected insect. Both controls were provided by the Wolbachia Project.