immunological axis of biocontrol: infections in field-trapped insects

Insect immunology is an active research arena, however, the vast majority of research in the area is conducted on model species taken from laboratory cultures. We tested the hypothesis that insects are regularly exposed to infections or invasions in nature and here report results of a field study de...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Die Naturwissenschaften 2009-09, Vol.96 (9), p.1115-1119
Main Authors: Tunaz, Hasan, Stanley, David
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
Biological control
Biomedical and Life Sciences
Cell culture
Coleoptera - immunology
Data processing
Ecosystem
Environment
Hemiptera - immunology
Host range
Immune system
Infection
Infection - immunology
Infection - veterinary
Insecta - anatomy & histology
Insecta - immunology
Invasions
Lepidoptera - immunology
Life Sciences
Nodules
Orthoptera - immunology
Pest Control, Biological - methods
Short Communication
Turkey
Citations: Items that this one cites
Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:Insect immunology is an active research arena, however, the vast majority of research in the area is conducted on model species taken from laboratory cultures. We tested the hypothesis that insects are regularly exposed to infections or invasions in nature and here report results of a field study designed to assess the extent of natural infections in insects collected from agrarian fields surrounding Kahramanmaraş, Turkey. Specimens were dissected to assess numbers of nodules. Formation of darkened, melanotic nodules is the predominant cellular immune reaction to microbial and parasitic infection, and once formed, the nodules are permanently attached to internal surfaces. The collected insects were healthy. Of the >400 examined specimens, at least some nodules were found in 98%. Numbers of nodules ranged from ~2/individual to >100 nodules/individual. We conclude that insects are regularly challenged by microbial and parasitic infections from which they recover. The novel implication of our data is that insect immune systems may limit the host range and effectiveness of agents deployed in biological control programs. Knowledge of insect immune systems may contribute to increased use of biopesticides globally.
ISSN:0028-1042
1432-1904
DOI:10.1007/s00114-009-0572-3