A novel application of oriental beetle juvenile Anomala corpulenta to reflect Pb contamination in soil

Abstract

Abstract Objective Insects dwelled in soil play a key role in monitoring of metal contaminations. In order to explore the toxicity of lead (Pb) in soil, juvenile of oriental beetle Anomala corpulenta, were firstly applied to analyze effect of Pb. Methods In the current study, toxicity of different concentrations Pb on A. corpulenta in the laboratory was performed by measuring survival, growth and avoidance of animals. Meanwhile, activities of acetylcholinesterase (ChE), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) in A. corpulenta were examined to quantify the extent of alterations caused by Pb treatments. Result Events of mortality were occurred in the Pb treated groups (1200 and 1600 mg Pb/kg soil). Administration of Pb treatments could result in a significant decrease of mean end weights in contrasted with that of control group. Treatment of Pb at 800 mg Pb/kg soil caused an obviously avoidance behavior. Expressions of ChE, SOD, CAT and GSH-Px of Pb treated groups were significant decreased compared with that of control group in the experiment observed. Conclusion Pb contamination of soil may cause multiple effects on juvenile A. corpulenta including occurrence of mortality, delay of growth and avoidance of contaminated environment.