Cellular Energy Allocation of Tuta absoluta (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) treated with Flubendiamide and Thiocyclam Hydrogen Oxalate on Different Tomato Cultivars

Abstract

The tomato leaf miner, Tuta absoluta (Meyrick), is the most important pest for tomato production in Iran. The effect of flubendiamide and thiocyclam hydrogen oxalate insecticides was assessed on cellular energy allocation (CEA) of the third instar larvae of T. absoluta ingesting six different tomato cultivars. Plant leaves were treated with LC50 concentration of both insecticides and their energy available (Ea), energy consumption (Ec), and CEA were calculated. The results showed that total energy reserves (protein, carbohydrate, and lipid budgets) were significantly reduced after exposure to insecticides and tomato secondary metabolites. The larvae fed on Riogrande and Super Chief cultivars showed the least amount of energy available after treatment with both insecticides. The highest rate of oxygen consumption was observed in larvae fed on Calj, Super Luna, and Super strain B after treatment with flubendiamide. The amount of CEA decreased in treated larvae compared to untreated larvae. This reduction was statistically higher in treated larvae that fed on Riogrande and Super strain B cultivars. Reduction in CEA is probably due to the expenses of dealing with detoxification of insecticides and plant metabolites. CEA is a suitable and primary biomarker for the effects of cultivars and insecticides as integrate and summarizes insect energy allocation in variable situations.