Effect of essential oils of Mentha spicata L. and Melaleuca alternifolia Cheel on the midgut of Podisus nigrispinus (Dallas) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae)

Acta histochemica
Valeska Andrea Ático BragaValéria Wanderley Teixeira

Abstract

Agricultural pest control is a popular research topic, and essential oils are widely studied because they represent a promising alternative to synthetic insecticides. However, despite the increase in studies on pests, little work has been done on pesticide contamination of the predators feeding on insecticide-affected prey. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of Lethal Dose 50 (LD50) from the essential oils of Mentha spicata L. and Melaleuca alternifolia Cheel on the histology, including histochemistry (from protein and carbohydrate analysis) and immunohistochemistry (from the evaluation of cellular apoptosis), of the midgut of fifth instar nymphs of Podisus nigrispinus (stinkbug) (Dallas). The periods of analysis were 12, 24, and 48 h after ingestion of Alabama argillacea Hübner caterpillars treated with the respective oils. The oil from M. spicata did not cause histological alterations or apoptosis in the insect. However, there was a reduction in the level of carbohydrates within the 48-h period. After 24 h, the oil of M. alternifolia caused an elongation of digestive cells and, after 48 h, cell lysis with the release of material into the lumen, suggesting tissue necrosis. The immunohistochemica...Continue Reading

Related Concepts

Related Feeds

Apoptosis

Apoptosis is a specific process that leads to programmed cell death through the activation of an evolutionary conserved intracellular pathway leading to pathognomic cellular changes distinct from cellular necrosis