Effects of high doses of zearalenone on some antioxidant enzymes and locomotion of Tenebrio molitor larvae (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae).

The mealworm Tenebrio molitor L. (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) feeds on wheat bran and is considered both a pest and an edible insect. Its larvae contain proteins and essential amino acids, fats, and minerals, making them suitable for animal and human consumption.

Temperature- and Diet-Induced Plasticity of Growth and Digestive Enzymes Activity in Spongy Moth Larvae.

Temperature and food quality are the most important environmental factors determining the performance of herbivorous insects. The objective of our study was to evaluate the responses of the spongy moth (formerly known as the gypsy moth) [ L. (Lepidoptera: Erebidae)] to simultaneous variation in these two factors.

Comparative assessment of biomarker response to tissue metal concentrations in urban populations of the land snail Helix pomatia (Pulmonata: Helicidae).

The traffic pressure is increasing, resulting in the emission of atmospheric pollution. Soil organisms will need to respond to pollution stressors. Among them, land snails are valuable indicators of ecosystem disturbance.

Mesoporous silica nanoparticles SBA-15 loaded with emodin upregulate the antioxidative defense of Euproctis chrysorrhoea (L.) larvae.

The study presented here aims to elucidate the effects of emodin (EO = 1,3,8-trihydroxy-6-methylanthraquinone) in its free form and when loaded into a mesoporous silica nanocarrier SBA-15 (→ SBA-15|EO) on the activities of the main antioxidative enzymes, superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione S-transferase, and glutathione reductase, in larvae of a polyphagous insect pest, the browntail moth Euproctis chrysorrhoea (L.). The results show that only SBA-15|EO upregulates the activities of the tested antioxidative enzymes.

Ghrelin effect on nutritional indices, midgut and fat body of Lymantria dispar L. (Lymantriidae).

Ghrelin is a 28-amino acid peptide that has significant effects on appetite and growth in humans and animals. The aim of this study was to examine 4th instar larvae of the pest insect Lymantria dispar L. after ghrelin treatment.

Changes in midgut and brain proteins in Morimus funereus larvae depending on nutritive substrate.

The response of Morimus funereus larvae to total starvation and refeeding with qualitatively different nutritive substrates (artificial diets supplemented with yeast as a source of B complex vitamins or with a digestibility reducer-tannic acid) was examined in this paper. Refeeding resulted in a compensatory increase of larval growth. Feeding and refeeding with qualitatively different nutritive substrates affected both quality and quantity of midgut and brain proteins.

The effect of temperature on midgut and brain protein profiles in Morimus funereus larvae (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae).

The 7-days shift of M. funereus larvae, from nature to a constant temperature of 23 degrees C led to changes in midgut and brain protein quality and quantity. The changes in midgut protein profiles are characterized by an intensified protein band Mr of 29 kD, the absence of protein Mr of 22 kD and less intense bands Mr of 8.

Metabolic response of cerambycid beetle (Morimus funereus) larvae to starvation and food quality.

The response of xylophagous Morimus funereus larvae to a direct change of diet demonstrated that the larvae from nutrient-poor substrates, e.g. oak, are very sensitive to such a change.