Effects of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) on the biology of Galleria mellonella L. (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae)

Abstract

Background Because of its ability to absorb UV radiation and possess catalytic, antibacterial, and semiconducting properties, zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) are increasingly being used in consumer goods. Because nanoparticles are used so often, accurate methods for determining any associated toxicity are crucial. The greater wax moth, Galleria mellonella (L.) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) is a suitable experimental model organism due to immune defense of the larvae is very strong. Also, larvae are a good model for carrying out toxicity studies. In this study, to determine the effects of zinc oxide NPs (ZnO NPs) on the biology (larval development time, the weight of the last stage larvae, the pupal development time, the pupal weight, the eclosion rate, the maturation period, the adult weights, the adult longevity, and the percentage of adults) of G. mellonella, zinc oxide NPs were added to the larvae diet (honeycomb) at different doses (100, 500, 1000, 3000, and 5000 ppm). Results Results showed that pupal weights significantly decreased at 1000, 3000, and 5000 ppm doses of zinc oxide NPs when compared with control. Adult weight increased at 100 ppm zinc oxide NPs and the adult longevity of G. mellonella in the group exposed to 5000 ppm zinc oxide NP was longer than the control group. Finally, total male longevity extended in 500, 1000, 3000, and 5000 ppm zinc oxide NPs groups when compared to the control group. Conclusions The findings of this study contribute to evidence that the negative effects of ZnO NPs on biological properties on G. mellonella. In addition, the study reveals the adverse effects of zinc oxide NPs on a model experimental organism and provides an idea for researchers working on this subject in terms of new studies that can be done in future.

Responses of continuous cadmium exposure on some biological and physiological performance of cotton bollworm Helicoverpa armigera

“…The Cd causes retardation in the fifth instar larval growth of L. dispar (Jiang et al, 2020). Our findings showed that in all three generations, pupal weight decreased significantly compared to the control and it was similar to Eskin and Nurullahoğlu (2022) in Galleria mellonella (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae). A tentative answer to this phenomenon could be that the insect facing stress tries to balance the situation, thus spending a high amount of energy which in turn affects the body weight.…”

Insecticidal activity of Silica, Zinc and Copper nanoparticles against the German cockroach, Blatella germanica (L.) (Dictyoptera: Blattellidae)

“…Overcoming this stress condition requires a high amount of energy. A similar explanation was suggested by Eskin and Nurullahoğlu (2022) in a study investigating the effect of ZnO-NPs on the pupal weight of Galleria mellonella. Weight decreases in insects treated with ZnO-NPs were also recorded by Pittarate et al, (2021).…”

“…Khooshe-Bast et al (2016) tested ZnO-NPs on Trialeurodes vaporariorum, the LC50 value was 7.35 mg and the mortality rate was 91.6% at 20 mg. Ramadan et al (2020) reported that the latent biological responses of Schistocerca gregaria treated with ZnO were more than that of CuO-NPs. Pittarate et al (2021) and Eskin & Nurullahoğlu (2022) also concluded that ZnO-NPs have toxic effects on Spodoptera frugiperda and Galleria mellonella. Other authors reported the toxic effects of CuO-NPs against different mosquito species (Vivekanandhan et al 2021a, b) and Spodoptera frugiperda (Rahman et al, 2022).…”

Antibacterial Activity of ZnO Nanoparticles in a Staphylococcus-aureus-Infected Galleria mellonella Model Is Tuned by Different Apple-Derived Phytocargos

“…An in vivo study on Helicoverpa armigera larvae revealed the toxicity of green-synthesised ZnO NPs when using neem leaf extracts at doses up to 200 mg/kg [ 9 ]. Multiple in vivo studies on Galleria mellonella larvae have also reported the toxicity of conventionally synthesised ZnO NPs [ 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 ]. Eskin et al [ 11 ] reported pulpal toxicity at concentrations greater than 1000 mg/kg while observing extended adult longevity at concentrations as high as 5000 mg/kg.…”

“…Multiple in vivo studies on Galleria mellonella larvae have also reported the toxicity of conventionally synthesised ZnO NPs [ 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 ]. Eskin et al [ 11 ] reported pulpal toxicity at concentrations greater than 1000 mg/kg while observing extended adult longevity at concentrations as high as 5000 mg/kg. Xu et al [ 12 ] reported toxicity above 400 mg/kg for ZnO nanorods (NRs).…”