Effects of Insecticides on the Antioxidative Defense System in European Corn Borer (Ostrinia nubilalis)

Abstract

The European Corn Borer (Ostrinia nubilalis) is one of the most damaging insect pests of corn and it has a detrimental influence on corn production. This work examines the effects of different insecticides on the antioxidative defense system of Ostrinia nubilalis larvae from Rimski Šancevi (near Novi Sad, Serbia). The experiment setup consisted of a completely randomized block design with 4 replicates. Four experimental groups were formed: control group (K) and C1 (indoxacarb – 0,25 ml ha-1), C2 (chlorantraniliprole – 0,1ml ha-1) and C3 (chlorantraniliprole + lambda cyhalothrin – 0,20 ml ha-1). Larvae from maize stems (hybrid NS 6030, FAO group 600) were collected following 20 days after the insecticide application, after which the homogenates of whole larvae were made. Ultimately, determination of the superoxide dismutase (SOD) catalase (CAT) and glutathione S transferase (GST) activity was performed. The comparison of the experimental groups has determined that SOD activity decreases significantly, whereas CAT activity suggestively increases in group C2 in relation to K. GST activity is significantly higher in all insecticides-treated groups in relation to K. Results indicate that the highest variations in larval enzyme activity was recorded in group C2, which proposes chlorantaniliprole as the most efficient insecticide for further use.