Isotopes and trace elements as natal origin markers of Helicoverpa armigera--an experimental model for biosecurity pests.

ABSTRACT: Protecting a nation's primary production sector and natural estate is heavily dependent on the ability to determine the risk presented by incursions of exotic insect species. Identifying the geographic origin of such biosecurity breaches can be crucial in determining this risk and directing the appropriate operational responses and eradication campaigns, as well as ascertaining incursion pathways. Reading natural abundance biogeochemical markers using mass spectrometry is a powerful tool for tracing ecological pathways as well as provenance determination of commercial products and items of forensic interest. However, application of these methods to trace insects has been underutilised to date and our understanding in this field is still in a phase of basic development. In addition, biogeoc

SUBMITTER: Holder PW 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3963883 | biostudies-literature | 2014

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature