Effects of cypermethrin on total body weight, glycogen, protein, and lipid contents of Pimpla turionellae (L.) (Hymenoptera : Ichneumonidae)

Abstract

We investigated the changes in total body weight, glycogen, protein, and lipid contents of the endoparasitoid Pimpla turionellae L. (Hymenoptera : Ichneumonidae) reared on Galleria mellonella L. (Lepidoptera : Pyralidae) exposed to various sublethal doses of cypermethrin added to the food of host larvae. Cypermethrin affected the total body weight of larvae, pupae, and adult females but not males. Results revealed that the levels of glycogen, protein, and lipid in all stages and sexes of the wasp tended to decline with respect to controls. Females showed the most striking decrease in glycogen content whereas larvae were more susceptible to cypermethrin than pupae and adults in terms of decrease in protein and lipid contents.