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Article

Deltamethrin-Mediated Effects on Locomotion, Respiration, Feeding, and Histological Changes in the Midgut of Spodoptera frugiperda Caterpillars

by
Germano Lopes Vinha
1,
Angelica Plata-Rueda
2,
Marcus Alvarenga Soares
3,
José Cola Zanuncio
2,
José Eduardo Serrão
4 and
Luis Carlos Martínez
4,*
1
Department of Crop Science, Federal University of Viçosa, Viçosa 36570000, Brazil
2
Department of Entomology, Federal University of Viçosa, Viçosa 36570000, Brazil
3
Department of Crop Production, Federal University of Vales Jequitinhonha and Mucuri, Diamantina 39100000, Brazil
4
Department of General Biology, Federal University of Viçosa, Viçosa 36570000, Brazil
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Insects 2021, 12(6), 483; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects12060483
Submission received: 23 April 2021 / Revised: 13 May 2021 / Accepted: 21 May 2021 / Published: 22 May 2021
(This article belongs to the Collection Pesticide Chemistry and Toxicology)
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Abstract

Simple Summary

Spodoptera frugiperda is controlled mainly with chemical insecticides. Toxicity, survival, respiration, mobility, anti-feeding effect, and histology of the midgut of S. frugiperda caterpillars exposed to deltamethrin were evaluated. Deltamethrin was toxic to third-instar caterpillars, decreasing survival. The insecticide reduces the respiratory rate and food consumption, and causes repellency. Exposure to deltamethrin causes histological alterations in the midgut, damaging the digestive cells and peritrophic matrix. Deltamethrin is toxic to S. frugiperda caterpillars, causing mortality, alteration of locomotor behavior, reduced respiration and feeding, and irreversible damage to the midgut epithelium.

Abstract

Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) is the main pest of maize crops, and effective methods for pest management are needed. The insecticidal efficacy of deltamethrin was evaluated against S. frugiperda for toxicity, survival, locomotion, anti-feeding, and histological changes in the midgut. Concentration–mortality bioassays confirmed that deltamethrin (LC50 = 3.58 mg mL−1) is toxic to S. frugiperda caterpillars. The survival rate was 99.7% in caterpillars not exposed to deltamethrin, decreasing to 50.3% in caterpillars exposed to LC50, and 0.1% in caterpillars treated with LC90. Spodoptera frugiperda demonstrated reduced mobility on deltamethrin-treated surfaces. Deltamethrin promoted a low respiration rate of S. frugiperda for up to 3 h after insecticide exposure, displaying immobilization and inhibiting food consumption. Deltamethrin induces histological alterations (e.g., disorganization of the striated border, cytoplasm vacuolization, and cell fragmentation) in the midgut, damaging the digestive cells and peritrophic matrix, affecting digestion and nutrient absorption.

1. Introduction

Spodoptera frugiperda (Smith, J.E.) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) is a polyphagous insect pest of crops in many parts on the world [1,2]. In Brazil, successive soybean, maize, and cotton crops are vulnerable to destruction by S. frugiperda [3]. For alternative pest control, biological control agents have been used [4], but with limitations to manage S. frugiperda [5]. Transgenic plants expressing proteins of Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) have high specificity for target pests [6], but the occurrence of resistant populations of S. frugiperda has been reported in Argentina, Brazil, and the USA [7,8]. Additionally, pathogens such as Baculovirus spodoptera and S. frugiperda Nuclear Polyhedrosis Virus (SpfrNPV) have low virulence in addition to the occurrence of resistant populations [9].
In Brazil, insecticides are the main defense against S. frugiperda, with more than 150 active chemical substances used for its control [10], including carbamates, organochlorines, organophosphates, and pyrethroids [11]. In this scenario, deltamethrin, a neurotoxic insecticide of the pyrethroids group, acts on sodium channels in the plasma membrane of nerve cells [12,13]. This insecticide is used to control certain cotton [14], maize [15], oil palm [16], and urban pests [17]. The effect of deltamethrin on insects occurs both by contact and ingestion, and its effects were studied on Lepidoptera pests such as Neoleucinodes elegantalis Guenée (Crambidae) [18], Cnaphalocrocis medinalis Guenée (Pyralidae) [19], and Tuta absoluta Meyrick (Gelechiidae) [20].
In insects, several insecticides that act orally cause side-effects in the midgut [13,21,22]. The midgut, with functions such as nutrient absorption and digestive processes [23], cell regeneration [24], acting as a barrier against pathogens [25], and detoxification of chemical substances [26,27], is the first organ exposed to insecticides per os. Thus, insecticide molecules should cross that barrier to reach the hemolymph and spread to the target organ [28]. Therefore, the midgut is the major site of insecticide entrance in the insect body and toxic molecules first cause alterations in this organ to affect insect physiology [29,30,31].
Exposure to insecticides impacts negatively on non-target organs, which can change according to molecule and insect species [32]. Thus, the long-term effects of insecticides are poorly understood [33]. Deltamethrin has broad action of and toxicity against arthropods [34], being the major insecticide used to control maize pests such as S. frugiperda [35,36]. In this research, the action of deltamethrin on S. frugiperda survivorship, locomotion, respiration, feeding, and histotoxicity in the midgut were assessed.

2. Materials and Methods

2.1. Insects

A population of Spodoptera frugiperda (caterpillars and moths) was collected on non-Bt maize fields in Viçosa, Minas Gerais, Brazil, in December of 2018. The insects were maintained in the Laboratory of Biological Control of Insects of the Federal University of Viçosa on artificial diet for five generations using standard rearing techniques [37] with a population size above 500 insects to avoid inbreeding. Different developmental stages were reared at 28 ± 1 °C, 72 ± 15% relative humidity, and 12:12 h (light:dark) photoperiod. Adults of S. frugiperda were fed on a liquid diet (10% sucrose + 5% ascorbic acid solution + 85% water) in a moistened cotton ball. Every three days, papers with eggs were placed in plastic containers (1 L). Newly-hatched S. frugiperda caterpillars were kept in the plastic containers until the third-instar and subsequently individualized in PVC trays with 16 wells (Advento do Brasil, Diadema, SP, Brazil). These caterpillars were fed on a solid diet (31.2 g red beans, 12.5 g beer yeast, 25 g wheat germ, 25 g soybean protein, 12.5 g casein, 10 g agar, 1.2% ascorbic acid, 1.2% sorbic acid, 0.6% nipagin (methylparaben), distilled water, and 2.5 mL vitamin solution (0.015% niacin, 0.03% calcium pantothenate, 0.004% thiamine, 0.008% riboflavin, 0.004% pyridoxine, 0.008% folic acid, 0.002% biotin, 0.002% inositol, and 0.004% HCl)) ad libitum. Newly-emerged (24-h old) third-instar caterpillars of S. frugiperda with ca. 180 mg weight and without malformations were utilized in the bioassays.

2.2. Concentration–Mortality Bioassay

Deltamethrin (Decis®; 25 g L−1; Bayer Vapi Private Limited-Plot, São Paulo, Brazil) was diluted in 50 mL of distilled water for six concentrations (0.39, 0.78, 1.56, 3.12, 6.25, and 12.5 mg mL−1), where the maximum dilution was equivalent to 125 g a.i./L, corresponding with the field dose recommended for S. frugiperda. Water (distilled and deionized) was used in the control. Concentrations were prepared to evaluate the toxicity (acute or chronic) and determine the relevant toxicological endpoints, following the concentration–mortality relationship and lethal concentrations (LC25, LC50, LC75, and LC90) of this insecticide. Caterpillars were starved for 2 h before starting bioassay. Each solution (1 μL) was applied into 125 mg of artificial diet using an Eppendorf micropipette (1–10 μL, Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany), which was supplied for the caterpillars during the first day. After this, for caterpillars feeding on the untreated or treated diet by 24 h, a new artificial diet without insecticide was supplied during the evaluation time of the experiment. Thirty third-instar caterpillars of S. frugiperda were individualized in Petri dishes (90 × 15 mm) and used for each concentration bioassay with three replications, following a completely random design. After five days of exposure, caterpillars were counted as dead if they were unable to walk when prodded with a brush.

2.3. Survival Bioassay

Caterpillars of S. frugiperda were individualized in Petri dishes and exposed to LCs (LC25, LC50, LC75, and LC90) of deltamethrin, determined by the concentration–mortality bioassay, in addition to the control with distilled and deionized water. Exposure procedures and insect conditions followed the same described for the concentration–mortality bioassay. Three replications of 30 caterpillars per lethal concentration were performed to determine the lethal time and the live insects recorded every 12 h for five days.

2.4. Locomotor Activity

Spodoptera frugiperda caterpillars were individually placed in a Petri dish 90 × 15 mm with a filter paper disc (Whatman No. 1) on the bottom (arena). The inner part of the top of the Petri dish was coated with Teflon® PTFE (Dupont de Nemours Inc., Wilmington, DE, USA) to avoid insect escape. Behavioral response bioassays were performed in arenas half-treated with 250 µL of deltamethrin (LC50 or LC90), or control (distilled and deionized water). A caterpillar of S. frugiperda was released in the center of the arena half-treated with insecticide (in filter paper) and maintained for 10 min. Twenty-five caterpillars were used per treatment, and the experimental design was completely randomized. The locomotion of each insect in the arena was registered with a digital charge-coupled device (CCD) camera. The distance traveled and the resting time of S. frugiperda in each half of the arena was analyzed with a video-tracking system (ViewPoint Behavior Technology, Lyon, France). Insect was assumed as repelled or irritated when it spent < 60 s or 50% of the time in the half of the treated area with insecticide, respectively [38].

2.5. Respiration Rate

Bioassay was recorded for 3 h in S. frugiperda caterpillars after exposure to deltamethrin (LC50 or LC90), according to the procedure of the mortality–concentration bioassay and with those treated with water (distilled and deionized) used as a control. The production of carbon dioxide (CO2) (μL of CO2 h−1/insect) was measured with a respirometer of the type CO2 TR3C Analyzer (Sable System International, Las Vegas, EUA) [39]. Three S. frugiperda caterpillars were introduced into a 25 mL glass chamber in a completely closed system. The CO2 produced by one caterpillar was measured by 8 h at 26 ± 3 °C after insect acclimatization. The oxygen gas was injected through the glass chamber for 2 min at a flow of 150 mL min−1 to quantify the CO2 produced in the chamber. This airflow forced the CO2 molecules to pass through an infrared reader coupled to the system, allowing continuous measurement of the CO2 produced by insects in each chamber. Spodoptera frugiperda caterpillars, before and after the experiment, were weighed on an analytical scale (Sartorius BP 210D, Göttingen, Germany) and those with similar weight were evaluated. A total of fifteen caterpillars were used per insecticide (LC50 and LC90) concentration and control.

2.6. Anti-Feeding Effect

The application of the concentrations was carried out by the feeding method using maize leaves. Pieces of maize leaves (20 × 20 mm) were sterilized with 5% sodium hypochlorite, washed thrice with water (distilled and deionized), and dried at room temperature. Then, the pieces of maize leaf were soaked for 10 s in the LC50 and LC90 of deltamethrin and air dried for 1 h. Spodoptera frugiperda caterpillars were individualized in Petri dishes and fed on a piece of maize leaf treated with the insecticide or untreated (using distilled and deionized water as control). The caterpillar was in contact with maize leaf for 3 h and, subsequently, the piece was photographed with a Nikon D40 digital photographic camera (Nikon Corporation, Tokyo, Japan) with 15 cm macro focus, natural, and SB-700 Nikon flourishing light. The photos were analyzed with the QUANT v. 1.0 software (Federal University of Viçosa, Viçosa, MG, Brazil). The leaf area consumed by caterpillar was measured in mm² with pixels based on the RGB histogram (red, 763 nm; green, 581.6 nm; blue, 467.5 nm). A total of fifteen caterpillars were used for LCs (LC50 and LC90) of deltamethrin and control.

2.7. Histopathology

Ten third-instar caterpillars of S. frugiperda were exposed to LC50 of deltamethrin via ingestion, in addition to control (distilled and deionized water), for 3, 6, 12, and 24 h. The insects were anesthetized at −4 °C for 1 min, the midguts dissected in a saline solution for insects (0.1 M NaCl, 0.1 M KH2PO4, 0.1 M Na2HPO4), and fixed to Zamboni solution for 6 h at 4 °C. The midguts were dehydrated in a graded ethanol series (70, 80, 90 and 95%) and embedded in Leica historesin Leica (Leica Microsystems Inc., Buffalo Grove, IL, USA). Then, slices with 3 μm thickness were sectioned in a Leica RM2255 microtome, stained with H&S (hematoxylin–eosin), and observed under an Olympus BX-53 light microscope (Olympus Deutschland, Hamburg, Germany).

2.8. Statistical Analysis

The concentration–mortality curves were estimated by submitting the mortality data to Probit analysis, using the PROC PROBIT procedure with SAS v. 9.0 software. Time–mortality data were analyzed with the Kaplan–Meier survival analysis with Origin Pro v. 9.1 software. Data from the S. frugiperda caterpillars that remained alive at end of the experimental period were censored. The locomotor activity and anti-feeding effect were evaluated by analysis of variance (ANOVA) and means compared with Tukey’s (HSD; honestly significant difference) test (p < 00.5). A two-way ANOVA followed by Tukey’s HSD test (p < 00.5) were used to analyze the respiration rate data with treatments, time, and treatments×time interaction as fixed effects. Data analysis on locomotor activity, respiration rate, and anti-feeding effect were arcsine-transformed to satisfy assumptions of normality and homoscedasticity with the SAS v. 9.0 software.

3. Results

3.1. Concentration–Mortality Bioassay

Lethal toxicity results of deltamethrin on S. frugiperda caterpillars are shown in Table 1. From the Probit analysis, the LC50 was estimated at 3.58 mg mL−1 with a 95% confidence interval of 3.25–3.90 mg mL−1, whereas the LC90 of deltamethrin was 5.65 and 5.061–6.69 mg mL−1, respectively. Mortality in the control was <1%.

3.2. Survival Bioassay

The survival analysis of S. frugiperda caterpillars exposed to the different LCs of deltamethrin indicated significant differences during the five days of evaluation (test of log-rank χ2 = 64.55, df = 4, p < 0.001). Survival was 99.7% in the control, decreasing to 71.8% with LC25, 50.3% with LC50, and 0.1% with LC75 and LC90 (Figure 1).

3.3. Locomotor Activity

Representative walking tracks for S. frugiperda released in the half-treated arenas are observed in Figure 2A. Locomotion behavior of S. frugiperda caterpillars in half-treated arenas differed between the control and LCs (LC50 and LC90) of deltamethrin. The resting time was higher in the control with 358 ± 41 s, followed by LC90 with 224 ± 26 s, and LC50 with 219 ± 27 s (F2,24 = 4.59, p < 0.021). The distance traveled was higher in the control with 377 ± 44 cm, followed by LC50 with 256 ± 67 cm, and LC90 with 154 ± 39 cm (F2,24 = 4.53, p < 0.022) (Figure 2B).

3.4. Respiration Rate

The respiration rate of S. frugiperda caterpillars treated on deltamethrin began to decrease after 1 h, from 14.7 µL of CO2 h−1 in the control, to 13.5 µL of CO2 h−1 in LC50, and 13.1 µL of CO2 h−1 in LC90. After 3 h of exposure to deltamethrin, there were different respiration rates between treatments (F2,84 = 9.44, p < 0.002), exposure time (F2,84 = 97.4, p < 0.001), and treatment × time interaction (F2,84 = 17.1, p < 0.001), with 13.1 µL of CO2 h−1 in the control, 11.8 µL of CO2 h−1 in LC50, and 9.51 µL of CO2 h−1 in LC90 (Figure 3, Table 2).

3.5. Anti-Feeding Effect

The leaf area consumed by S. frugiperda caterpillars was different in the treatments (F2,14 = 6.65, p < 0.001), being higher in the control (77.1 ± 19 mm2) than in those exposed to CL90 (5.26 ± 2 mm2) and CL50 (3.08 ± 1 mm2) of deltamethrin (Figure 4).

3.6. Histopathology

In the control, the midgut of S. frugiperda had a single epithelial layer of digestive and goblet cells. Digestive cells have homogeneous cytoplasm and well-developed nuclei with predominance of decondensed chromatin. The apical surface of these cells had an evidently striated border and the midgut lumen showed a well-developed peritrophic matrix (Figure 5A,F). The basal surface of these cells was lined by muscle layers (Figure 5K). After 3 h of the insect being exposed to LC50 of deltamethrin, the apical surface of the midgut epithelium was irregular and the cytoplasm was highly vacuolized (Figure 5B,G,L). Protrusions of the apical epithelium towards the gut lumen, high vacuolization in the cytoplasm, and apocrine secretion were found after 6 h of insecticide exposure (Figure 5C,H,M). After 12 h exposure, there was cell vacuolization, disorganization of the striated border, cell fragmentation, nuclei with condensed chromatin, and disruption of the peritrophic matrix (Figure 5D,I,N). These features were similar to those found after 24 h of oral exposure to deltamethrin (Figure 5E,J,O). The goblet cells have a large cavity of the apical surface forming a well-developed extracellular compartment, without modifications in the insects exposed to deltamethrin (Figure 5H).

4. Discussion

The action of deltamethrin on S. frugiperda caterpillars was determined from bioassays performed in the laboratory, with an intense effect via ingestion. The insecticide caused concentration-dependent mortality of S. frugiperda, as reported for other insects [12,40,41]. Spodoptera frugiperda caterpillars exposed to LC50 and LC90 of deltamethrin changed their locomotion activity. Some individuals gradually lost mobility without signs of recovery when exposed to LC90. In this case, the symptoms in S. frugiperda agree with the effect caused by pyrethroid insecticides, which act on voltage-gated sodium channels on the axonal membrane, including those in the motor neuron [13,16]. The susceptibility to deltamethrin of other Noctuidae, such as Chrysodeixis includens Walker [42], Helicoverpa armigera Hübner [14], and Spodoptera litura Fabricius [43], varies according to the exposure method (contact or ingestion), but deltamethrin, in a reduced concentration (LC50 = 3.58 mg mL−1), is sufficient to cause toxicity to S. frugiperda by ingestion.
The high variation in S. frugiperda survival is mediated by the deltamethrin interaction with target sites in the nervous system, necessary to induce chronic toxicity. Time periods to induce mortality in S. frugiperda by this insecticide were after 80 h with LC90 and 120 h with LC50. These time differences occur because the midgut is a barrier to deltamethrin reaching the target sites. The long periods to the LCs of deltamethrin mean that S. frugiperda mortality obtained here may be misinterpreted as compromising the insecticide performance, since during pest outbreaks rapid pest mortality is expected [12,16], but deltamethrin inhibits the growth [40] and development [41] and interrupts the life cycle [43] of insects, and its effect against S. frugiperda suggests toxic effects with a possible population decrease during the first days of infestation, which is important for crop protection.
The low resting time and walked distance by S. frugiperda caused by deltamethrin shows its effect on the locomotion behavior of this insect, probably due to its action in the nervous system inhibiting the insect’s mobility [13,16]. The behavioral responses of insects exposed to pesticides [38,39,44] may affect substrate recognition [45], olfactory orientation[46], and foraging [41]. Changes in locomotion behavior by deltamethrin have been reported for Anopheles harrisoni, Anopheles minimus Meigan (Diptera: Culicidae) [44], Grapholita molestans Busk (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) [47], Sitophilus granarius Linnaeus, and Sitophilus zeamais Motschulsky (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) [40]. Insect behavioral responses to prevent direct intoxication by insecticides include non-contact with insecticide (repellency) and evasion after brief contact (irritability) [48]. The non-preference of S. frugiperda walking in the half-arena treated with the insecticide suggests that the caterpillars avoid direct contact with deltamethrin.
Deltamethrin affected negatively the respiration of S. frugiperda, indicating physiological stress. A similar result occurs in Anticarsia gemmatalis Hübner (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) exposed to azadirachtin [49], chlorpyrifos [50], and tebufenozide [26]. This decrease might be due to the low behavioral response and locomotor activity. Higher levels of walking activity are expected to result in metabolism with a high respiration rate [29,51]. The decrease in the oxygen consumption observed here may be related to the disruption of oxidative phosphorylation in respiration [49,51,52], and may result in unbalanced physiology of the insect.
The decrease in the consumption of maize leaves treated with LC50 and LC90 of deltamethrin suggests an anti-feeding effect, probably by the neurotoxic action of deltamethrin [14] causing paralysis [14,16] and, consequently, cessation of food. The rapid intoxication of S. frugiperda, after exposure to deltamethrin, may reduce the damage caused in plants, similar to that reported for adults of Popillia japonica Newman (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) exposed to leaves of Tilia cordata Mill. (Malvales: Malvaceae) treated with deltamethrin, with reduced food consumption in 96.8% [53]. Some insecticides inhibit feeding before the target insects die, and rapid action is essential for the protection of agricultural systems [11,50]. Deltamethrin and other pyrethroids reduce insect damage in maize crop as demonstrated by Helicoverpa zea Boddie (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) [54] and Ostrinia nubilalis Hübner (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) [55].
The exposure per os to deltamethrin induces epithelial alterations in the midgut of S. frugiperda in short periods, although this insecticide has a neurotoxic action mode [13,21], suggesting that the midgut is a potential target organ for this insecticide. The histological changes found are characteristic of a degenerative cellular process, such as disorganization of the striated border, cytoplasm vacuolization, and cell fragmentation. In the midgut, cell degeneration is described in other insects, such as Anticarsia gemmatalis Hübner (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) in response to chlorpyrifos [50] and chlorantraniliprole [51], Apis mellifera Linnaeus (Hymenoptera: Apidae) to iprodione [56] and spiromesifen [57], Podisus nigrispinus Dallas (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) to permethrin [21] and spinosad [22], and Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae) to pyriproxyfen [30]. The histo-toxic effects in the midgut of S. frugiperda exposed to deltamethrin are mainly damages in the striated border of the digestive cells and in the peritrophic matrix. The striated border of the midgut increases the cell surface for the transport of substances [56,57,58], whereas the luminal peritrophic matrix is a physical barrier against mechanical injuries, pathogens and xenobiotic agents, and controls digestion [58,59]. The peritrophic matrix has its components (chitin and proteins) produced by the digestive cells and released by the microvilli of these cells [60,61,62]. Thus, the damage in these microvilli and in the peritrophic matrix formation may compromise the digestive process in S. frugiperda caterpillars.
Overall, our findings show that ingested deltamethrin has potential deleterious effects on S. frugiperda behavior and physiology. The application of insecticides in fields has a direct killing effect on pests exposed to lethal doses, but also results, to a certain extent, in the survival of individuals exposed to low doses over time. Some pesticides have been reported to contaminate plants from the cultivation of treated crops in the same field in previous years [63,64], so that pests may ingest lower doses of pesticides, and the changes in physiological and behavioral parameters evaluated here can be used to assess and predict the toxicity and potential efficacy of deltamethrin in the control of S. frugiperda.

5. Conclusions

This findings or this study show that deltamethrin is toxic when ingested by S. frugiperda caterpillars, changing their locomotion behavior, feeding, and respiration, which may be adequate to kill or interrupt the development of this pest. Thus, the findings reveal that deltamethrin histological alterations, such as disorganization of the striated border, cytoplasm vacuolization, and cell fragmentation, damage the midgut and compromise the digestive processes.

Author Contributions

Conceptualization, G.L.V., A.P.-R., J.E.S. and L.C.M.; methodology, G.L.V., A.P.-R., J.E.S. and L.C.M.; formal analysis, G.L.V., A.P.-R., J.E.S. and L.C.M.; investigation, G.L.V., A.P.-R., J.E.S. and L.C.M.; resources, M.A.S., J.C.Z., J.E.S. and L.C.M.; writing, G.L.V., A.P.-R., M.A.S., J.C.Z., J.E.S. and L.C.M.; supervision, A.P.-R., J.C.Z., J.E.S. and L.C.M.; project administration, A.P.-R., J.C.Z., J.E.S. and L.C.M.; funding acquisition, M.A.S., J.C.Z., J.E.S. and L.C.M. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.

Funding

This research was funded by the Brazilian research agencies Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq) (grant number 305165/2013-5), Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) (grant number 2815/11), and Fundação de Amparo a Pesquisa do Estado de Minas Gerais (FAPEMIG) (grant number APQ-01079-13).

Institutional Review Board Statement

Not applicable for studies not involving humans or animals.

Informed Consent Statement

Not applicable for studies not involving humans.

Data Availability Statement

Data sharing not applicable.

Acknowledgments

In this section, you can acknowledge any support given which is not covered by the author contribution or funding sections. This may include administrative and technical support, or donations in kind (e.g., materials used for experiments).

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

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Insects 12 00483 g001
Figure 1. Survival curves of Spodoptera frugiperda caterpillars exposed to different lethal concentrations of deltamethrin, subjected to survival analyses using the Kaplan–Meier estimator log-rank test (χ2 = 64.55, df = 4, p < 0.001).
Figure 1. Survival curves of Spodoptera frugiperda caterpillars exposed to different lethal concentrations of deltamethrin, subjected to survival analyses using the Kaplan–Meier estimator log-rank test (χ2 = 64.55, df = 4, p < 0.001).
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Figure 2. Behavior response of Spodoptera frugiperda caterpillars caused by deltamethrin. (A) Representative tracks showing the walking activity of S. frugiperda over a 10-min period on filter paper arenas half-impregnated with deltamethrin (upper half of each arena). Red tracks indicate high walking velocity; green tracks indicate low (initial) velocity. (B) Resting time and distance walked of S. frugiperda subjected to deltamethrin (control, LC50, and LC90 estimated values) for 10 min. Treatments (mean ± SEM) differ at p < 0.05 (Tukey’s mean separation test).
Figure 2. Behavior response of Spodoptera frugiperda caterpillars caused by deltamethrin. (A) Representative tracks showing the walking activity of S. frugiperda over a 10-min period on filter paper arenas half-impregnated with deltamethrin (upper half of each arena). Red tracks indicate high walking velocity; green tracks indicate low (initial) velocity. (B) Resting time and distance walked of S. frugiperda subjected to deltamethrin (control, LC50, and LC90 estimated values) for 10 min. Treatments (mean ± SEM) differ at p < 0.05 (Tukey’s mean separation test).
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Figure 3. Respiration rate of Spodoptera frugiperda caterpillars exposed to deltamethrin (control, LC50, and LC90 estimated values) for 3 h. Treatments (mean ± SEM) differ at p < 0.05 (Tukey’s mean separation test).
Figure 3. Respiration rate of Spodoptera frugiperda caterpillars exposed to deltamethrin (control, LC50, and LC90 estimated values) for 3 h. Treatments (mean ± SEM) differ at p < 0.05 (Tukey’s mean separation test).
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Figure 4. Anti-feeding effect caused by deltamethrin on Spodoptera frugiperda caterpillar. (A) Leaf section (20 × 20 mm) treated with distilled water and insecticide submitted to color binarization (black and blue) with identification and quantification of area consumed. (B) Leaf area consumed by S. frugiperda exposed to deltamethrin (control, LC50, and LC90 estimated values). Treatments (mean ± SEM) differ at p < 0.05 (Tukey’s mean separation test).
Figure 4. Anti-feeding effect caused by deltamethrin on Spodoptera frugiperda caterpillar. (A) Leaf section (20 × 20 mm) treated with distilled water and insecticide submitted to color binarization (black and blue) with identification and quantification of area consumed. (B) Leaf area consumed by S. frugiperda exposed to deltamethrin (control, LC50, and LC90 estimated values). Treatments (mean ± SEM) differ at p < 0.05 (Tukey’s mean separation test).
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Figure 5. Light micrographs of the midgut of Spodoptera frugiperda caterpillars 3, 6, 12, and 24 h after exposure to deltamethrin. (A–E) Apical portion of digestive cells showing sequential effects with increase in vacuolization. (F–J) Basal portion of digestive cells showing sequential effects with increase in vacuolization. (K–O) Details showing sequential effects in the peritrophic matrix. Epithelium (Ep), lumen (L), peritrophic matrix (►), cell protrusion (*). Control (A,F,K).
Figure 5. Light micrographs of the midgut of Spodoptera frugiperda caterpillars 3, 6, 12, and 24 h after exposure to deltamethrin. (A–E) Apical portion of digestive cells showing sequential effects with increase in vacuolization. (F–J) Basal portion of digestive cells showing sequential effects with increase in vacuolization. (K–O) Details showing sequential effects in the peritrophic matrix. Epithelium (Ep), lumen (L), peritrophic matrix (►), cell protrusion (*). Control (A,F,K).
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Table 1. Lethal concentration of deltamethrin against Spodoptera frugiperda caterpillars after 5 days exposure, obtained from Probit analysis (df = 5, slope ± SE = 6.364 ± 0.53, intercept = 3.519).
Table 1. Lethal concentration of deltamethrin against Spodoptera frugiperda caterpillars after 5 days exposure, obtained from Probit analysis (df = 5, slope ± SE = 6.364 ± 0.53, intercept = 3.519).
No. InsectsLethal Concentration (LC)Estimated Concentration (mg mL−1)95% Confidence Interval (mg mL−1)χ2 (p-Value)
90LC252.8582.459–3.1671.58(0.90)
90LC503.5883.251–3.909
90LC754.5044.128–5.026
90LC905.6535.061–6.690
Table 2. Two-way ANOVA for respiration rate of Spodoptera frugiperda caterpillars upon exposure to lethal concentrations (LC50 and LC90) of deltamethrin for two times. DF = degrees of freedom; SS = sum of squares; MS = mean square; n = numerator; d = denominator; p = probability of significance; α = 0.05.
Table 2. Two-way ANOVA for respiration rate of Spodoptera frugiperda caterpillars upon exposure to lethal concentrations (LC50 and LC90) of deltamethrin for two times. DF = degrees of freedom; SS = sum of squares; MS = mean square; n = numerator; d = denominator; p = probability of significance; α = 0.05.
ANOVA TableSSDFMSF (DFn DFd)p-Value
Treatments39.31219.65F (2,84) = 9.44<0.002
Time111.91111.9F (1,84) = 97.4<0.001
Treatments×time21.68210.84F (2,84) = 17.1<0.001
Residual96.47841.148
Total269.389
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Vinha, G.L.; Plata-Rueda, A.; Soares, M.A.; Zanuncio, J.C.; Serrão, J.E.; Martínez, L.C. Deltamethrin-Mediated Effects on Locomotion, Respiration, Feeding, and Histological Changes in the Midgut of Spodoptera frugiperda Caterpillars. Insects 2021, 12, 483. https://doi.org/10.3390/insects12060483

AMA Style

Vinha GL, Plata-Rueda A, Soares MA, Zanuncio JC, Serrão JE, Martínez LC. Deltamethrin-Mediated Effects on Locomotion, Respiration, Feeding, and Histological Changes in the Midgut of Spodoptera frugiperda Caterpillars. Insects. 2021; 12(6):483. https://doi.org/10.3390/insects12060483

Chicago/Turabian Style

Vinha, Germano Lopes, Angelica Plata-Rueda, Marcus Alvarenga Soares, José Cola Zanuncio, José Eduardo Serrão, and Luis Carlos Martínez. 2021. "Deltamethrin-Mediated Effects on Locomotion, Respiration, Feeding, and Histological Changes in the Midgut of Spodoptera frugiperda Caterpillars" Insects 12, no. 6: 483. https://doi.org/10.3390/insects12060483

APA Style

Vinha, G. L., Plata-Rueda, A., Soares, M. A., Zanuncio, J. C., Serrão, J. E., & Martínez, L. C. (2021). Deltamethrin-Mediated Effects on Locomotion, Respiration, Feeding, and Histological Changes in the Midgut of Spodoptera frugiperda Caterpillars. Insects, 12(6), 483. https://doi.org/10.3390/insects12060483

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