METHODS FOR THE PRESERVATION OF INSECTS FOR DNA STUDIES

Adult Simulium damnosum s.I. were reared from pupae and preserved in liquid nitrogen, Carnoy's solution, formal saline, three alcohols at a variety of concentrations, dried over silica gel or pinned. The highest yields and least sheared DNA was obtained from flies preserved in liquid nitrogen, ethanol stored at 4-degrees-C or dried over silica gel. Pinned specimens and those in formal saline mostly gave undetectable yields of DNA, whereas the DNA from flies in Carnoy's solution, methanol and propanol was much degraded to small fragments.