Araucaria angustifolia (Bert.) O. Kuntze induces oxidative and genotoxic damage in larvae of Anticarsia gemmatalis Hübner (Lepidoptera: Erebidae)

Abstract

Plant-derived products have been considered as an important alternative to common pesticides. Araucaria angustifolia extract (AAE) contains high levels of polyphenols, which are correlated with mortality in defoliating insects. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the effects of AAE treatments on A. gemmatalis larvae. Results showed that AAE was able to induce lipid, protein, and DNA damage in the larvae via oxidative stress. AAE treatment did not induce larvae mortality; however, there was an increase in the number of malformed pupae, along with a decrease in the emergence of the insects. These biological effects may be correlated with the polyphenol content of the AAE.

Keywords:

• Araucaria angustifolia
• velvetbean caterpillar
• oxidative damage
• polyphenols

Acknowledgements

This work was supported by the Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq), Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado do Rio Grande do Sul (FAPERGS), and the Coordenação de Apoio de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES).