Determination of marker rubidium in Heliothis moths using two analytical techniques

Abstract

Heliothis moths raised on nutrient media containing various concentrations of rubidium chloride were individually digested with nitric acid and rubidium was determined by either atomic-absorption spectrometry (AAS) with a carbon rod atomiser or inductively coupled plasma atomic-emission spectrometry (ICP-AES). Conditions were established such that interference-free determinations were possible by both methods. Recovery estimates were not significantly different from 100%. Instrumental precisions for single sample assays were acceptable for use in entomological marking experiments. Moths were best analysed initially by ICP-AES. Those moths containing less than 15 µg of rubidium were then analysed by AAS.