Anti-oxidative, genotoxic and mutagenic effects of idiobiont, endoparasitoid, Pimpla turionellae L. (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae) venom on its host Galleria mellonella L. (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae)

Abstract

Parasitoid species regulate the nutritional and physiological states of their hosts to ensure their eggs and larvae successfully develop inside the host. Due to the insecticidal and paralyzing properties of venoms from idiobiont parasitoids, parasitic wasps are important natural enemies of several insect pests. For this purpose, in this report, we investigated the oxidative, genotoxic, and mutagenic potential of venom from Pimpla turionellae L. (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae) on the laboratory host Galleria mellonella L. (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae). The insecticidal assay showed the LC50 and LC99 values of endoparasitoid venom for G. mellonella pupal stage to be 0.44 µg and 1.17 µg in 2 µl insect saline buffer, respectively. According to the mechanical stimulus–response (MSR) assay, pupal paralysis increased significantly within four hours post-injection at LC50 and higher venom concentrations. Envenomation by LC10, LC30, and LC50 concentrations of endoparasitoid venom and parasitism reduced the activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione-S-transferase enzymes and the level of malondialdehyde in the hemolymph of host pupae 1, 2 and 4 h post-treatment. On the other hand, comet and micronucleus assays displayed that, envenomation by the effective concentrations of P. turionellae venom-induced concentration and time-dependent DNA and chromosomal damages in host hemocytes. Therefore, these data indicated that envenomation by P. turionellae induces anti-oxidative stress, genotoxicity, and mutagenicity which alter the hosts’ physiological state to create a suitable host environment for the successful development of their progeny. In conclusion, we suggest that this study could provide useful information for bioinsecticidal potential of idiobiont wasp venom for sustainable integrated pest management programs.