ISSN:
1570-7458
Keywords:
lectins, peritrophic membrane
;
Lucilia cuprina
;
blowfly strike
;
larvicide
;
feeding deterrent
;
wheat germ lectin
;
lentil lectin
;
Concanavalin A
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Biology
Notes:
Abstract Larvae of the blowflyLucilia cuprina (Wied.) (Diptera: Calliphoridae) were grownin vitro on a serum-free medium in the presence of a number of lectins. Lectins with specificities for β-(1,4)-N-acetylglucosamine (wheat germ lectin) and α-D-mannopyranosyl and (α-D-glucopyranosyl residues (lentil lectin and Con A) caused strong concentration-dependent inhibition of the growth of the larvae and substantial mortality. Wheat germ lectin had the strongest effects, showing 50% inhibition of larval growth at a concentration of 2 μM and 100% mortality at 25 μM. Other lectins with different sugar specificities had much less effect. The mechanism of the larvicidal action(s) of wheat germ lectin, lentil lectin and Con A was investigated. There were at least three effects of these lectins onL. cuprina larvae. First, these lectins bound to and reduced the permeability of the peritrophic membrane of the larvae. Second, they reduced ingestion of diet medium by larvae. Third, the lectins also bound to the apical membranes of larval gut epithelial cells although there were no obvious signs of damage to these cells. It is concluded that the combination of these effects probably results in the starvation of the larvae. The implications of these results in terms of possible control strategies forL. cuprina are discussed.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF02382409
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