Time related decay in prey antigens ingested by the predator Podisus maculiventris (Hemiptera, Pentatomidae) as detected by ELISA.

Individual nymphs of the predaceous pentatomid Podisus maculiventris Say were each fed a single first instar Douglas Fir tussock moth larva, Orgyia pseudotsugata McDunnough, and held without further feeding at constant temperature for a known number of days before being frozen. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, ELISA, was used to examine these predators for the presence of prey antigens. The concentration of prey antigens in these predators declined at a linear rate over the 7 days they were held post-feeding. Detectable antigens remained in 50% of the predators after three days at 24°C. On the day in which the prey was consumed (day 0) only 80% of the unstarved predators had detectable prey antigens which suggests the possibility of instinctive killing of prey with little or no subsequent ingestion. The amount of prey antigen in molted and unmolted predators was not statistically distinguishable; although molting interrupts feeding, digestion of the antigen(s) employed in this study seems to be continuous.