Hello,
I would like to visually identify and quantify the pollen morphotypes carried by insects which have been stored in 70% ethanol. The insects are Diptera (mainly Syrphids), and Hymenoptera (mainly wild bees, bumblebees and honeybees). To facilitate pollen identification, we have collected the anthers of all flowering plants species encountered on the studied sites, and also stored them in 70% ethanol.
Firstly, is it possible to visually identify pollen after it has remained for several months in alcohol, because I read about pollen hydration that could cause damage to the exine? If it is, what is the best way to collect the "free" pollen from ethanol and the pollen that remains on the insect's body? Then, is there a specific method for preparing pollen that has been stored in 70% ethanol for visual identification under the microscope?
Thank you very much for taking the time to read and answer!
To study pollen, it is better to immediately collect it from an insect. Pollen for the convenience of research is placed in glycerin. Then you can study both with a light and a scanning microscope. On my own I will add if the pollen has been in alcohol for no more than 1 hour, it will not change much morphologically.
Regards, Pushkin Sergey Viktorovich
Thank you Pushkin Sergey Viktorovich for your answer. Unfortunately, we could not directly collect the pollen from the insects. This is why I wonder if it can still be identified after having stayed in alcohol for several weeks. Does its morphology radically change then, making visual identification impossible? But can coarse identifications be made by comparisons with reference pollen also kept in alcohol?
Regards,
Audrey
Dear Audrey Labonte
I think that the pollen should not change greatly morphologically. Try it should work.
Regards, Pushkin Sergey Viktorovich
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