Boron compounds are effective on Tribolium castaneum (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae): Reduced lipogenesis and induced body weight loss

• Published in: Archives of insect biochemistry and physiology 2024-03, Vol.115 (3), p.e22098-n/a
• Main Authors: Atay, Turgut, Ertürk, Sait, Alkan, Mustafa, Kordali, Şaban, Yılmaz, Ferah, Barış, Aydemir, Ghanbari, Solmaz, Doğan, Cansu, Toprak, Umut
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: acetyl‐CoA carboxylase; Animals; Body weight; Body weight loss; Borates; Boron; Boron Compounds; Calcium; Coleoptera; Down-regulation; Fatty-acid synthase; Insecticides - pharmacology; Lipogenesis; Mortality; pest control; Tenebrionidae; Tribolium; Tribolium castaneum; triglyceride; Triglycerides; Weight loss
• ISSN: 0739-4462; 1520-6327
• DOI: 10.1002/arch.22098

In the current study, we investigated the insecticidal efficacy of two borates, disodium octaborate tetrahydrate (Etidot‐67) and calcium metaborate (CMB) via surface application or diet delivery on the red flour beetle, Tribolium castaneum (Herbst, 1797) (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae). The application method did not change the boron‐related mortality, but CMB was more effective than Etidot‐67. At the highest dose, it took around 13 days to reach the highest mortality (≥98.1%) for CMB, while it was 19 days for Etidot‐67 (≥95.8%). Both boron compounds led to a significant reduction in triglyceride levels in parallel to the downregulation of acetyl‐CoA carboxylase (ACC) and fatty acid synthase (FAS), the two primary genes involved in de novo lipogenesis, while they also induced body weight loss. In conclusion, the current study indicated the insecticidal potential of boron compounds but CMB is more promising and more effective in controlling T. castaneum, while lipogenesis is inhibited and weight loss is induced by boron compounds. Two borates, disodium octaborate tetrahydrate (Etidot‐67) and calcium metaborate (CMB) revealed high insecticidal efficacy on Tribolium castaneum with the latter being more effective. Both boron compounds reduced triglyceride levels, downregulated acetyl‐CoA carboxylase and fatty acid synthase genes, and induced body weight loss. Research highlights Boron compounds revealed significant insecticidal potential. Boron compounds reduced triglyceride levels. Boron compounds led to the downregulation of TcACC and TcFAS. Boron compounds induced weight loss.