Dietary effects of harmine, a β-carboline alkaloid, on development, energy reserves and a-amylase activity of Plodia interpunctella Hu bner (Lepidoptera : Pyralidae)‎

Abstract EN

The physiological and developmental effects of harmine, a b-carboline alkaloid, on the insect pest Plodia interpunctella have been analyzed.

When added at the larval diet, harmine induced a strong reduction of larvae weight, cannibalism between larvae, in addition to significant mortality.

On the other hand, it caused a remarkable development disruption, manifested by both delay and reduction of pupation and adult emergence.

Using spectrophotometric assays, we have shown that harmine ingestion provoked a severe reduction in protein, glycogen and lipid contents.

Beside, when larvae fed harmine, the activity of the digestive enzyme a-amylase was strongly reduced.

In conclusion, our experiments clearly show the susceptibility of P.

interpunctella to harmine ingestion revealing the potent bioinsecticidal effect of harmine