Abstract: Four species- and stage-specific monoclonal antibodies (McAbs) to whole homogenates of adults of the white-backed planthopper, Sogatella furcifera, were developed using hybridoma technology. These McAbs did not crossreact with any other insect species tested with an indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).Moreover, of the four McAbs, the McAb, namely WPH-2B6, was highly specific to all the stages of white-backed planthopper while the other three reacted only with both the egg and adult female antigens. Immunodiffusion showed that the McAb WPH-2B6 was IgG_2b subclass while all the others belonged to IgG₁ subclasses using standard goat anti-mouse antibodies specific to each mouse antibody subclass (Sigma Chemical Co. Ltd., Pode. Dorset). SDS-PAGE and Western blot analyses indicated that the adult antigen was mainly composed of four polypeptides with molecular weights estimated at 182 kD, 116 kD, 66.2 kD and 40 kD, respectively, and McAb WPH-2B6 reacted with two polypeptides with molecular weights of 116 kD and 182 kD respectively while the other three were bound specifically to one with molecular weight of 116 kD. Finally, the potential application of these McAbs to study the predation of natural enemies on the white-backed planthopper is discussed.

Key words: Sogatella furcifera, monoclonal antibodies, hybridoma technology