Effects of Co-60 radiation on the activities of three main antioxidant enzymes in Bactrocera dorsalis (Hendel) (Diptera: Tephritidae)

Abstract

Co-60 radiation has been broadly used for pest management because it results in male sterility and a lack of emergence of unparasitized hosts due to oxidative damage. Insect life is significantly affected by abiotic stress factors, including Co-60 radiation. In the present study, we determined the influence of Co-60 radiation on an important pest in southern China, the oriental fruit fly Bactrocera dorsalis (Diptera: Tephritidae). We exposed 30-h-old B. dorsalis eggs to Co-60 radiation at doses of (0, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, and 40 Gy) and determined the activity of the antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and peroxidase (POX). CAT and POX activity significantly increased in B. dorsalis in the 1st larvae instar after high-intensity radiation doses (25–40 Gy) and played an important role in the antioxidant response to intensive radiation. The activity of POX in B. dorsalis at the 2nd larval instar sharply decreased after different doses of radiation, except for 10 and 40 Gy. Our results demonstrated that Co-60 radiation affected the activity of antioxidant enzymes and disturbed the physiology of B. dorsalis, especially at early stages (the 1st, 2nd larvae instar). These three antioxidant defense enzymes cooperatively play an important role in protecting B. dorsalis from oxidative damage.