Influence of Gibberellic Acid on the Hemolymph Content of the Greater Wax Moth, Galleria mellonella (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) Larvae

Abstract

The influence of the plant growth regulator gibberellic acid (GA<inf>3</inf>) on the hemolymph contents of Galleria mellonella (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) was examined. G. mellonella larvae were fed with a synthetic diet. The effects of GA<inf>3</inf> on the hemolymph content of these larvae were tested through a diet incorporation assay. Different concentrations (2, 5, 10, 50, 100, 200, 500 and 1000 mg/L) of GA<inf>3</inf> were added to the synthetic diet and protein, lipid, carbohydrate and glycogen levels in the hemolymph were evaluated for the GA<inf>3</inf> concentrations. The hemolymph protein level of the larvae increased significantly at 5, 10, 50 and 200 mg/L with respect to the control group. The lipid level of hemolymph fluctuated among the tested GA<inf>3</inf> concentrations. It was significantly reduced at 5 and 10 mg/L, but increased at 50 and 200 mg/L. GA<inf>3</inf> application also enhanced the carbohydrate level at 50, 100, 200 and 1000 mg/L and the glycogen content at 100 and 200 mg/L. © 2018 Zoological Society of Pakistan