Comparative impairing effects of selected arthropod venoms on the main body metabolites of Galleria mellonella (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae)

Dyaa Emam,Karem Ghoneim,Khalid Hamadah,Mohammad Tanani

doi:10.33472/afjbs.3.3.2021.64-79

Abstract

The greater wax moth, Galleria mellonella (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) is widely distributed in the world. It is the most destructive pest of honey bee, Apis mellifera (Hymenoptera: Apidae), throughout the world. The present study was conducted to estimate the disturbance of main body metabolites in the tissues of 5th and 7th instar larvae, as well as early-, mid- and late-aged pupae of G. mellonella, by certain arthropod venoms. The 3rd instar larvae were treated, via an artificial diet, with LC50 of death stalker scorpion Leiurus quinquestriatus venom, oriental Hornet (wasp) Vespa orientalis venom, or Apitoxin of honey bee Apis mellifera (3428.9, 2412.6, and 956.16 ppm, respectively). The important results could be summarized as follows. The total protein content in larvae was drastically reduced in larvae, regardless the tested venom or the larval instar. Also, all venoms predominantly prevented the successfully developed pupae to attain normal protein level. All venoms exhibited prevalent inducing effects on larvae to gain more lipids than control congeners of both 5th and 7th instars. Also, all tested venoms unexceptionally enhanced the pupae to gain more lipids than the control congeners. Treatment of the 3rd instar larvae with each of the tested venoms resulted in a dramatic reduction of carbohydrate content in 5th and 7th instar larvae. The carbohydrate content in treated pupae had been drastically reduced, regardless the tested venom or the pupal age.

Highlights

The greater wax moth Galleria mellonella L. (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) is widely distributed throughout the world
The total protein content was drastically reduced in the treated larvae, regardless the tested venom or the larval instar
The strongest reducing potency was exhibited by Apitoxin in the 5th instar larvae (19.80% reduction) and exhibited by wasp venom in the 7th instar larvae (34.77% reduction)

Summary

Introduction

The greater wax moth Galleria mellonella L. (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) is widely distributed throughout the world. For the control of G. mellonella, various physical methods have been adopted; including freezing, heating, CO2, Ozone gas and sulphur fumigation against larvae and pupae (Owayss and Abd-Elgayed, 2007; Christen et al, 2008; Mohammad Tanani et al / Afr.J.Bio.Sc. 3(3) (2021) 64-79. Several biological control agents, such as the natural enemies, predators and parasitoids, along with entomopathogenic nematodes, viruses and fungi, had been assessed for controlling this pest (Dindo et al, 2001; Armendariz et al, 2002; Hussaini, 2003; Ellis et al, 2013; and George et al, 2019). Insect hormone analogues, insect growth regulators had been assessed against it (Izzetoglu and Karacali, 2003; Unsal et al, 2004; Awasthi and Sharma, 2012; and Pamita and Priyanka, 2013). Natural compounds of the plant origin may be efficient alternatives to conventional fumigants against G. mellonella (Abbasipour et al, 2009; Mahmoudvand et al, 2011; Basedow et al, 2012; Elbehery et al, 2016; and Er et al, 2017)

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Results

Discussion

Conclusion