Can exposure to neem oil affect the spermatogenesis of predator Ceraeochrysa claveri?

Author(s)

Gimenes Garcia, Ana Silvia ^[1] ; Scudeler, Elton Luiz ^[1] ; Felipe Pinheiro, Patricia Fernanda ^[2] ; dos Santos, Daniela Carvalho ^{[1, 3]}

Affiliation

^[1] UNESP Sao Paulo State Univ, Lab Insects, Dept Morphol, Inst Biosci Botucatu, BR-18618689 Botucatu, SP - Brazil

^[2] UNESP Sao Paulo State Univ, Dept Anat, Inst Biosci Botucatu, Botucatu, SP - Brazil

^[3] UNESP Sao Paulo State Univ, Electron Microscopy Ctr, Inst Biosci Botucatu, Botucatu, SP - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: PROTOPLASMA; v. 256, n. 3, p. 693-701, MAY 2019.
• Web of Science Citations: 2

Abstract

Novel biological control methods and integrated pest management strategies are basic requirements for the development of sustainable agriculture. As a result, there is a growing demand for research on the use of plant extracts and natural enemies such as the green lacewing, Ceraeochrysa claveri, as natural pest control methods. Studies have shown that although natural compounds such as neem oil (Azadirachta indica) are effective as pest control strategies, they also cause sublethal effects on nontarget insects, such as C. claveri. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of neem oil on C. claveri testes. C. claveri larvae were fed Diatraea saccharalis eggs, which were pretreated with 0.5%, 1%, and 2% neem oil. Testes were collected from larvae, pupae, and adults and analyzed using light and electron (transmission and scanning) microscopy. Changes in cellular stress and possible cell death were also determined by TUNEL assay and the marker HSP-70. The results showed that neem oil affects the organization and distribution of cysts in the testes and the normal sequence of cyst development, causing a delay in spermatogenesis in the testes of treated insects. Tests for cellular stress and DNA fragmentation indicated there was no cellular alteration in the treated groups. Although neem oil does not induce cell death or changes in HSP-70 expression, this biopesticide negatively impacts the process of spermatogenesis and could decrease the perpetuation of this species in the agroecosystem, indicating that the use of neem oil in association with green lacewings as a biological control should be carefully evaluated. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 12/02879-7 - Toxicity of neem (Azadirachta indica A. Juss) on spermatogenesis of Ceraeochrysa claveri (Navás, 1911) (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae): study cytochemical, immunocytochemical and ultrastructural
• Grantee: Ana Silvia Gimenes Garcia
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• FAPESP's process: 14/15016-2 - Cellular response of the pest predator Ceraeochrysa claveri (Navas, 1911) (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae) after exposure to the biopesticide neem oil (Azadirachta indica A. Juss)
• Grantee: Daniela Carvalho dos Santos
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants