Effects of thiacloprid on some biochemical and oxidative stress parameters of Galleria mellonella

The effects of the neonicotinoid insecticide thiacloprid on antioxidant enzyme activities, malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, hemocyte count, micronucleus count and protein, lipid and carbohydrate levels of greater wax moth (Galleria mellonella) larvae were investigated. G. mellonella larvae were injected with doses of 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30 µg thiacloprid and analyses were performed at the end of 24, 48, 72 and 96 hours. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity increased significantly at low thiacloprid doses (5, 10 and 15 µg) in all tested periods, while it decreased significantly at high doses (25 and 30 µg). Catalase (CAT) activity showed increases in some periods especially at low thiacloprid doses, while it decreased significantly at high doses compared to control and negative controls. MDA amounts showed significant increases compared to control and negative control at all concentrations. Lipid and carbohydrate amounts decreased significantly especially at high thiacloprid doses compared to control and negative control groups. High thiacloprid doses caused significant decreases in total hemocyte counts of G. mellonella, while micronucleus formation in hemocytes increased significantly compared to control groups. The obtained results show that the measured parameters can be used as reliable biomarkers to indicate oxidative damage caused by thiacloprid exposure.