Your benefits:

• Detailed Insect Feeding Analysis – Amplifies and conditions the subtle electrical signals generated during insect probing and feeding on plant tissues, helping researchers discriminate distinct waveform types correlated with different behaviors (e.g., penetration, ingestion, salivation).
• Flexible Signal Capture – AC and DC modes allow focus on either resistance changes or biologically relevant voltage components depending on experimental goals.
• Noise-Mitigated Recordings – Built-in filtering improves clarity, aiding interpretation of complex EPG waveforms even in electrically noisy environments.
• Multi-Channel Capability (where applicable) – Enables simultaneous recording from multiple insect subjects or multiple electrode configurations.
• Technique-Specific Optimization – Preamp and interface electronics are tuned to the characteristics of EPG circuits, preserving subtle signal details essential for waveform classification and interpretation.

What is an Electrical Penetration Graph (EPG)?

EPG is an electrophysiological technique used primarily to study how insects with piercing-sucking mouthparts (e.g., aphids) feed on plants. It works by completing an electrical circuit between insect and plant electrodes, with feeding events causing measurable voltage/resistance fluctuations that are recorded as waveform graphs.

What kinds of biological events can be detected?

Different EPG waveform patterns correlate with specific insect activities — including pathway penetration, salivation, ingestion and changes in feeding status — which are useful for behavioral characterization and plant resistance studies.

Do I need special electrodes for EPG recordings?

Yes. Typical EPG setups use a fine gold or platinum wire electrode attached to the insect and a plant reference electrode (often in the soil or plant medium). These are connected through the amplifier’s headstage and recording inputs.

Can the amplifier record more than one insect at a time?

Some models such as the EPG-12 support multiple independent recording channels (e.g., 12), enabling parallel recordings from multiple insects or circuits.

What’s the difference between AC and DC modes?

DC mode captures both electromotive force (EMF) and resistance components and is often used for detailed waveform analysis of biological events; AC mode focuses primarily on resistance changes, highlighting mechanical aspects of feeding.