Visualisation of insect tracheal systems by lactic acid immersion

Y Ruan; Y Li; M Zhang; X Chen; Z Liu; S Wang; S Jiang

doi:10.1111/jmi.12711

Visualisation of insect tracheal systems by lactic acid immersion

J Microsc. 2018 May 15. doi: 10.1111/jmi.12711. Online ahead of print.

Authors

Y Ruan¹, Y Li², M Zhang¹, X Chen¹, Z Liu¹, S Wang³, S Jiang¹

Affiliations

¹ School of Applied Chemistry and Biological Technology, Postdoctoral Innovation Practice Base, Shenzhen Polytechnic, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China.
² School of Forest Resources and Conservation, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, U.S.A.
³ Shanghai Entry-Exit Inspection and Quarantine Bureau, Shanghai, China.

PMID: 29762877
DOI: 10.1111/jmi.12711

Abstract

The endeavours to reveal the tracheal system of insects and some arachnids has a long history. The traditional way to observe a tracheal system in an insect body is by utilising the glycerin immersion method. In this study, we developed the lactic acid immersion method, which reveals a more complete tracheal system. By mounting various types of live specimens or body parts directly into lactic acid, multiple intact and complex tracheal systems were clearly visualised. The lactic acid immersion contributed to revealing tracheal systems by penetrating body tissue while reserving enough time for observation before the penetration of the tracheae. Preliminary comparisons were conducted between lactic acid and other mediae, including glycerin. It turned out that lactic acid immersion provides better details and more distinct structures. In our test, the optimal time for observing the tracheal system was 10-25 min after the organism was immersed in lactic acid.

Keywords: Arthropoda; Hoyer's medium; mites; trachea; tracheole.