Effects of Cu, Zn ve Ca some biological parameters in Galleria mellonella L. and its parasitoid Pimpla turionellae L.

Effects of copper, zinc and calcium on total protein and glycogen levels of Galleria mellonella larvae and on some antioxidant defence systems such as superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activities together with their effect on the adult emergence of its parasitoid Pimpla turionellae were investigated. Animals were fed on an artificial diet mixed with three different concentrations of Cu (0.01; 0.02 and 0.05 mg/ml). Zn and Ca were also added to the food in three times concentrations of Cu (1:3) to reduce the toxic effects of it. Total protein level of G. mellonella larvae fed with Cu+Ca diet was the same whereas it decreased in animals fed with Cu+Zn diet as compared with the control animals. Total glycogen of the larvae significantly increased compared to control. SOD and CAT activities varied with increasing concentrations of metals in G. mellonellae larvae. Adult emergence of the parasitoid P. turionellae did not vary at low concentrations however increased in animals fed with Cu+Ca diet at 0.05 mg Cu.