Sample information

Using mason jars, the kudzu bugs were caught from the kudzu patch near Western Piedmont Community College. A leaf was plucked from the kudzu, which contained a group of kudzu bugs on its backside. All the insects used in the experiment were caught on the same day, in the afternoon.

Methods

DNA Extraction: The kudzu bug was first thoroughly washed with molecular biology-grade water, and then its abdomen was separated from the rest of the body using a sterile pair of tweezers, scalpel, and Petri dish. The reproductive organs were then transferred into a centrifuge tube containing ATL buffer and ground thoroughly with a pestle afterward.

Gel Electrophoresis Lanes:
Red Box: Sample Analyzed
Lane 4: Sample Amplified with Arthropod Primers
Lane 5: Sample Amplified with Wolbachia Primers
Lane 10: Positive Wolbachia Control
Lane 11: Negative Wolbachia Control
Lane 12: Positive Arthropod Control
Lane 13: Negative Arthropod Control

Results

For this kudzu bug sample, the bands indicative of both Arthropod (~708 bp) and Wolbachia (~438 bp) presence were observed during gel electrophoresis. The confidence level was deemed medium, since the Positive Wolbachia Control sample result was incorrect.