Eur. J. Entomol. 93 (3): 467-473, 1996
Effects of heavy metals and fluorine on phagocytosis and phenoloxidase activity in Mamestra brassicae (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)
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Phagocytic response to injected iron saccharate and yeast cells (heat-killed Saccharomyces cerevisiae or viable Candida tropicalis) and haemolymph phenoloxidase (PO) activity were studied im Mamestra brassicae larvae fed on diets contaminated by copper, lead, cadmium of fluorine ions. In copper-stressed larvae, increased and reduced percentage of plasmatocytes and granular cells, respectively, and a reduced phagocytosis of iron saccharate were found. Cadmium- and fluorine-treatment reduced phagocytosis of S. cerevisiae. Cadmium showed a stimulatory effect, copper an inhibitory effect on phagocytosis of C. tropicalis. PO activity was reduced by all toxicants, in copper-stressed larvae it reached only 22% of the activity in the control.
Keywords: Noctuidae, Mamestra brassicae, phagocytosis, phenoloxidase, heavy metals, fluorine
Accepted: June 10, 1996; Published: September 30, 1996 Show citation
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