Comparative impairing effects of selected arthropod venoms on the main body metabolites of Galleria mellonella (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae)

The greater wax moth, Galleria mellonella (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) is widely distributed in the world. It is the most destructive pest of honey bee, Apis mellifera (Hymenoptera: Apidae), throughout the world. The present study was conducted to estimate the disturbance of main body metabolites in the tissues of 5th and 7th instar larvae, as well as early-, mid- and late-aged pupae of G. mellonella, by certain arthropod venoms. The 3rd instar larvae were treated, via an artificial diet, with LC50 of death stalker scorpion Leiurus quinquestriatus venom, oriental Hornet (wasp) Vespa orientalis venom, or Apitoxin of honey bee Apis mellifera (3428.9, 2412.6, and 956.16 ppm, respectively). The important results could be summarized as follows. The total protein content in larvae was drastically reduced in larvae, regardless the tested venom or the larval instar. Also, all venoms predominantly prevented the successfully developed pupae to attain normal protein level. All venoms exhibited prevalent inducing effects on larvae to gain more lipids than control congeners of both 5th and 7th instars. Also, all tested venoms unexceptionally enhanced the pupae to gain more lipids than the control congeners. Treatment of the 3rd instar larvae with each of the tested venoms resulted in a dramatic reduction of carbohydrate content in 5th and 7th instar larvae. The carbohydrate content in treated pupae had been drastically reduced, regardless the tested venom or the pupal age.