Emamectin benzoate as a potential molluscicide against white garden snail, Theba pisana in association with biochemical defects

Abstract

BACKGROUND The white garden snail, Theba pisana, is distributed worldwide and is a serious molluscan pest of different crops. Emamectin benzoate (EMB) ‘an avermectin derivative’ is a novel biorational agent and highly effective pesticide. This study focused on the lethal and in vivo sublethal toxic effect of EMB on the energy reserves (glycogen, lipids and proteins), total energy reserves and activities of glutathione S‐transferase (GST), γ‐glutamyl transferase (γ‐GT), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) in the hepatopancreas of T. pisana for up to 7 days of exposure. RESULTS The median lethal dose (LD50) at 48 h of EMB treatment was 5.34 μg g−1 body weight (b.w.). Sublethal doses of 1.07 and 3.20 μg g−1 b.w. (i.e., 20% and 60% of the LD50) led to significant dose‐ and time‐dependent decreases in glycogen and lipids; these doses increased the total protein level. Overall, the tested sublethal doses significantly decreased the total energy reserves. Moreover, GST and γ‐GT activities were elevated, whereas the activities of AST and ALT were inhibited in the exposed snails. A decrease in LDH activity after 1 and 3 days of exposure and an increase after 7 days of exposure were seen in snails treated with EMB. CONCLUSION EMB exerted lethal toxicity on T. pisana and consequently caused changes in energy reserve levels and enzyme activities in the animal. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.

Potential Utility of Protein Content as A Biomarker of Xenobiotic Toxicity in the Land Snail, Theba pisana

“…However, after 3 days of exposure, there was non-significant effect in total protein. Also, a significant increase in total protein was indicated in T. pisana snails treated with 20 and 60% of emamectin benzoate for 1, 3 and 7 days compared with untreated snails (Gad, 2022). Kandil et al (2009 and2014) found that the total proteins in Monacha obstructa and Eobania vermiculata were increased when snails exposed to abamectin as a baiting technique or contact poison up to 7 days.…”

Control of Theba pisana land snails using pharmaceutical mono-hormonal contraceptive drug at Sharkia Governorate.

“…Snails can leave an unpleasant odor on plants as a result of their mucous secretions during their movements causing contamination of plants and preventing animals from eating (Sallam et al, 2009). The most efficient way of control for mollusks is still chemical molluscicides, although several risks for people, animals, and almost all terrestrial organisms (Gabr et al, 2006;Gad, 2022)). Snails are hermaphrodites that sperms mature before eggs and have a reciprocal exchange of sperms during mating (Routray and Dey, 2016).…”