Cadmium effects on development and reproduction of Oncopeltus fasciatus (Heteroptera: Lygaeidae)

• Published in: Journal of insect physiology 2004-08, Vol.50 (8), p.737-749
• Main Authors: Cervera, A, Maymó, A.C, Sendra, M, Martínez-Pardo, R, Garcerá, M.D
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Age Factors; animal fertility; Animals; Biological Assay; Body Weight - drug effects; Cadmium; Cadmium - toxicity; chronic toxicity; Development; dose response; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; fecundity; heavy metals; Heteroptera - drug effects; Heteroptera - growth & development; Heteroptera - metabolism; insect development; insect growth; insect reproduction; Life Cycle Stages - drug effects; Life cycle test; Lygaeidae; Metals - toxicity; mortality; Oncopeltus fasciatus; oviposition; Reproduction; Reproduction - drug effects; Survival Rate; Toxicity Tests, Chronic
• ISSN: 0022-1910; 1879-1611
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jinsphys.2004.06.001

Newly hatched nymphs of the insect Oncopeltus fasciatus were exposed to various concentrations of CdCl 2 administered in drinking water until the end of adult life. Significant nymphal mortalities were observed at concentrations above 30 mg Cd/l (corresponding to the LC 50). The duration of the nymphal stages increased in proportion to the Cd concentration; at the lowest Cd concentration of 10 mg Cd/l, the median duration was significantly prolonged by one day, while at the highest concentration of 100 mg Cd/l it was increased by 10 days over the control group. The weight of newly emerged adults lineally decreased with Cd concentration, being reduced to half the weight of controls at 100 mg Cd/l. In addition, a proportionality between delay in development and weight reduction was found in Cd-treated adults. Survival of adult females was decreased at concentrations higher than 10 mg Cd/l, while males were only affected at 30 mg Cd/l or higher doses. Reproduction was the most affected parameter. Oviposition rate, fecundity and fertility of females exposed to 10 mg Cd/l were significantly lower than controls (73%, 58% and 55% relative to controls, respectively). Hatchability of the eggs laid by treated females was also reduced. These results show that development and reproduction of O. fasciatus are seriously impaired at sublethal Cd concentrations.