Abstract
Peritrophic matrix (PM) is an acellular, porous sheath composed of chitin and proteins that lines the midgut epithelial cells. The PM serves as a barrier against food particles, pathogens and toxins. Several studies in dipteran systems revealed that antibodies specific to PM proteins retard insect development by binding to their target antigens in the PM and blocking PM pores. To test whether antisera specific to PM proteins also inhibit larval growth in a lepidopteran system, antisera specific to chitin deacetylase 1, insect intestinal mucin 2, insect intestinal mucin 4 and PM protein 1 were fed to 2nd instar Mamestra configurata Walker (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) larvae, a major pest of Brassica plants in North America. Interestingly, all larvae feeding on antisera gained more weight than the larvae feeding on the diet containing non-immune sera or no antiserum. The anti-McPM1 and anti-McIIM4 antisera treatments showed the highest larval weight gains, followed by the anti-McCDA1 and anti-McIIM2 antisera treatments. The interaction of treatment with time was found significant by the 6th day and the interaction of concentration with time was found significant only by the 12th day. No difference was found between the larval weights from all treatments at concentrations of 1 or 4%.
Published Version
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