Staining a Chironomid Larva

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Micro_UTRG
Posts: 19
Joined: Wed Jun 24, 2020 7:55 pm

Staining a Chironomid Larva

#1 Post by Micro_UTRG » Sun Jul 26, 2020 7:55 pm

I've caught a Chironomid larva that I want to mount.
As of right now, I've it stored in 70% Et OH. Is there a protocol for staining the nervous system and/or muscle tissue? I've a Polarization setup to see the muscle fibers, but I would like to view more things.

Will Luxol Fast Blue work? How about H&E ?
I have more stains, but no knowledge of animal histology whatsoever.
I would like to mount it in Karo syrup, but I also have synthetic resin and Canada Balsam.

Thanks
Uriel

abednego1995
Posts: 137
Joined: Thu Dec 15, 2016 6:32 am

Re: Staining a Chironomid Larva

#2 Post by abednego1995 » Sun Jul 26, 2020 8:05 pm

Not aware of staining that would work for whole mounts... maybe silver staining could work since it's used for fairly thick neural tissue. If it could be sectioned, H&E would be the preference. If you have access to a fluorescent microscope, or a confocal/light sheet/MP microscope, fluorescent staining would be the way to go.

Micro_UTRG
Posts: 19
Joined: Wed Jun 24, 2020 7:55 pm

Re: Staining a Chironomid Larva

#3 Post by Micro_UTRG » Mon Jul 27, 2020 1:17 am

That would be cool, but unfortunately I don't have access to a Microtome,Confocal or Fluorescence microscope. Can Lactophenol be used to mount such specimens?

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