昆蟲電生理實驗－EPG昆蟲刺探電位儀
一、應用
EPG昆蟲刺探電位儀系統可以測量同翅類昆蟲和其他刺吸式昆蟲（適合應用於蚜蟲、粉蝨、葉蟬、木蝨、椿象等），在取食等行為時產生的微弱電壓差。
該設備用於這類昆蟲在植物上的取食行為、病毒／病原體傳播機制、殺蟲劑作用機理與效果評估，以及植物抗蟲性研究。
The EPG (Electrical Penetration Graph) insect probing potential system can measure weak voltage differences produced during feeding and other behaviors of homopteran insects and other piercing-sucking insects (suitable for aphids, whiteflies, leafhoppers, psyllids, stink bugs, etc.).
This equipment is used to study the feeding behavior of these insects on plants, virus/pathogen transmission mechanisms, insecticide mode of action and efficacy evaluation, as well as plant insect resistance research.
二、配置
系統硬體的核心是訊號放大器，因為這類電訊號極度微弱，因此需要將採集到的微弱訊號進行放大（50~100倍）。放大器必須具備極高的輸入阻抗（通常 > 1 GΩ，即10⁹歐姆），以最大限度減小對被測生物迴路的負載效應（避免「短路」訊號），並有效放大微弱的生物電訊號。
當然，一個法拉第籠也是必不可少的，可以屏蔽掉外界無效的噪聲。法拉第籠通常由帶接地的金屬網或者金屬板製成，這個實驗裝置放置其中。
昆蟲電極：實驗中的難點是將金線黏到昆蟲身上，需要借助液態的導電銀膠，在金線尾部形成「銀膠球」，然後輕輕黏到昆蟲背部。膠不能太多，否則會影響昆蟲活動甚至生命；當然太少又不牢固且不好黏上。
金線有兩種規格，分別是18微米和12.5微米，都非常細，一卷有30米。銀膠一般是2ml，為水溶性，每次可少量取出使用，剩餘部分在4℃冰箱中冷藏保存。金線和銀膠算是整套系統的消耗品。
此設備一次最多可以測量8個樣品，滿足了科研用戶的對比需求。
最後，訊號可以通過電腦預裝的軟件即時記錄，並產生波形圖，可以很方便地幫助科研人員分辨昆蟲的行為方式和習慣。軟件的波形辨識與分析，是這套系統價值體現的關鍵。
The core of the system hardware is the signal amplifier. Since these electrical signals are extremely weak, the collected weak signals need to be amplified (50–100 times). The amplifier must have extremely high input impedance (typically > 1 GΩ, or 10⁹ ohms) to minimize the loading effect on the measured biological circuit (avoiding “short-circuiting” the signal) and effectively amplify the faint bioelectric signals.
Of course, a Faraday cage is also essential to shield external invalid noise. The Faraday cage is usually made of grounded metal mesh or metal plates, and the experimental setup is placed inside it.
Insect electrode: The difficulty in the experiment lies in attaching the gold wire to the insect’s body. Liquid conductive silver glue is used to form a “silver glue ball” at the end of the gold wire, which is then gently attached to the insect’s back. Too much glue will affect the insect’s movement or even its life; too little will make it insecure and difficult to attach.
The gold wire comes in two specifications: 18 μm and 12.5 μm, both very thin, with 30 meters per roll. The silver glue is generally 2 ml and water-soluble. A small amount can be taken out for use each time, and the remainder should be stored refrigerated at 4°C. Gold wire and silver glue are considered consumables of the entire system.
This equipment can measure up to 8 samples at a time, meeting the comparison needs of scientific researchers.
Finally, signals can be recorded in real time through the pre-installed software on the computer, generating waveform graphs, which greatly help researchers distinguish the behavioral patterns and habits of insects. The waveform recognition and analysis function of the software is the key to demonstrating the value of this system.
軟體功能
標註波形：根據特徵（幅度、頻率、形狀）手動或（半）自動辨識和標記不同的取食行為波形（如np波 - 非刺探，pd波 - 路徑穿刺，E1/E2波 - 唾液分泌，F波 - 木質部取水，G波 - 口針清潔，其中最重要的波形之一）。
參數提取：自動計算每個標記波形的起始時間、結束時間、持續時間、頻率、平均幅度等大量行為學參數。
統計分析：將提取的參數匯出，用於統計分析（比較不同處理組之間的行為差異）。
Waveform annotation: Manually or (semi-)automatically identify and mark different feeding behavior waveforms based on characteristics (amplitude, frequency, shape) (e.g., np wave – non-probing, pd wave – pathway puncture, E1/E2 wave – salivation, F wave – xylem ingestion, G wave – stylet withdrawal/cleaning, one of the most important waveforms).
Parameter extraction: Automatically calculate a large number of behavioral parameters for each marked waveform, such as start time, end time, duration, frequency, average amplitude, etc.
Statistical analysis: Export the extracted parameters for statistical analysis (comparing behavioral differences between different treatment groups).
昆蟲刺吸電位儀通過其超高輸入阻抗、低噪聲放大器、精密電極系統、電磁屏蔽環境（法拉第籠）和專業的波形分析軟體，實現了對刺吸式口器昆蟲微觀取食行為的「可視化」和量化分析。
它在揭示植物抗蟲機制、闡明病毒傳播規律、評估新型防控策略（如抗蟲品種、新型殺蟲劑）等方面發揮著很重要的作用。
其配置特點的核心在於訊號靈敏度和穩定性，以及對複雜生物電訊號的精準解析能力。使用EPG需要嚴格的實驗條件和熟練的操作技巧。
The insect piercing-sucking potential instrument, through its ultra-high input impedance, low-noise amplifier, precision electrode system, electromagnetic shielding environment (Faraday cage), and professional waveform analysis software, achieves “visualization” and quantitative analysis of the microscopic feeding behavior of piercing-sucking insects.
It plays a very important role in revealing plant insect resistance mechanisms, elucidating virus transmission patterns, and evaluating new control strategies (such as insect-resistant varieties and novel insecticides).
The core features of its configuration lie in signal sensitivity and stability, as well as the precise parsing capability for complex bioelectric signals. Using EPG requires strict experimental conditions and skilled operating techniques.