System and method embodiments for analyzing a test fluid to detect prior or present infestations of bed bugs are described. In an embodiment, the method may include receiving the test fluid on a test strip within the detection device. The test strip may include a reaction portion and a reagent portion containing an antibody or antigen-binding fragment that is conjugated to a colored particle. The test fluid may include bed bug antigen that reacts with the conjugated antibody. The detection device may include a first and a second optical sensor for monitoring a reaction and a background color intensity, respectively. Upon a predetermined time delay elapsing, the detection device determines whether bed bug antigen is present in the test fluid using the monitored color intensities and minimum and maximum color intensity thresholds associated with bed bugs. Then, the detection device outputs a result using a visual display.

A system and method to detect the presence of bed bugs are disclosed. A system detecting the presence of bed bugs comprises an aptamer solution that includes a base ligand, a fluorophore ligand that includes at least one fluorophore, and a quencher ligand that includes at least one quencher, a liquid application tool, and a fluorescent light source. A method of detecting the presence of bed bugs, comprising providing a liquid application tool that carries an aptamer solution, applying the aptamer solution to a target area, shining fluorescent light on the target area, and observing the target area under the fluorescent light. If there are light spots under the fluorescent light, bed bugs have been present.

Described herein are methods for characterizing the age of an insect fecal pellet, where the method can comprise: (1) obtaining insect fecal pellet material to be tested; (2) exposing the pellet material to an H.sub.2O.sub.2 solution; and (3) detecting the presence of generated oxygen, where the amount of oxygen generated is inversely proportional to the age of the insect pellet. Also described are kits for carrying out the method.

Pesticidal proteins (FFPP's) are used to produce derivatives (DP's) that are ineffective and disabled relative to conferring toxic properties upon a target pest, yet the ability of the DP to bind to the receptor to which said FFPP binds is unaffected. Such DP's are useful in inhibiting the FFPP from which it was derived when both are fed to a target pest and for comparing receptor binding capability and efficiency relative to different FFPP's from which the DP has been derived, providing for an assessment of different FFPP's relative to each other, and providing uniformity and certainty in combinations of such FFPP's for compositions, including transgenic plants, that can be used to control pest populations susceptible to both FFPP's, creating more durable transgenic plant products, inhibiting the development of resistance to such FFPP's when used in plants commercially, and in providing a durable and viable resistance management strategy for crops using such FFPP combinations. Polynucleotide sequences intended for use in expression of the DP's and FFPP's are also provided. Particular embodiments provide methods of designing and preparing DP's, as well as compositions and methods of using DP's and the FFPP's from which the DP's have been derived in more effective pesticidal compositions and products.

The present invention relates to use of an Anaplasma phagocytophilum protein APH1384 as diagnostic antigen for granulocytic anaplasmosis. The protein can remedy the drawback of missed detection of an existing diagnostic antigen P44 for granulocytic anaplasmosis, improve sensitivity of detection for granulocytic anaplasmosis, and facilitate rapid and accurate clinical diagnosis of granulocytic anaplasmosis.

Embodiments of the invention are directed of compositions for activation or inhibition of the Oct2 receptor and uses thereof. The inventors have discovered that the beta adrenergic-like octopamine receptor Oct2 serves as a key signaling molecule for ovulation and recruits protein kinase A and Ca2+/calmodulin-sensitive kinase II as downstream effectors for this activity. Oct2R homozygous mutant females are sterile, and display normal courtship, copulation, sperm storage and post-mating rejection behavior but were unable to lay eggs.

The present disclosure provides anti-bed bug monoclonal antibodies and antigen-binding fragments thereof as well as compositions and kits comprising the same. The present disclosure also provides methods of making monoclonal antibodies and antigen-binding fragments thereof and methods of using the same to detect bed bugs.

The disclosure relates to Bt toxin resistance management. One embodiment relates to the isolation and characterization of polynucleotides and polypeptides corresponding to novel Bt toxin receptors. The polynucleotides and polypeptides are useful in identifying or designing novel Bt toxin receptor ligands including novel insecticidal toxins.

System and method embodiments for analyzing a test fluid to detect prior or present infestations of bed bugs are described. In an embodiment, the method may include receiving the test fluid on a test strip within the detection device. The test strip may include a reaction portion and a reagent portion containing an antibody or antigen-binding fragment that is conjugated to a colored particle. The test fluid may include bed bug antigen that reacts with the conjugated antibody. The detection device may include a first and a second optical sensor for monitoring a reaction and a background color intensity, respectively. Upon a predetermined time delay elapsing, the detection device determines whether bed bug antigen is present in the test fluid using the monitored color intensities and minimum and maximum color intensity thresholds associated with bed bugs. Then, the detection device outputs a result using a visual display.

The invention relates to a colorimetric method for detecting bacterial or fungal pathogens by detecting peptidoglycan or (1-3)--D-glucan in a sample.