Green light and light stress in moth: influence on antioxidant enzymes in the oriental armyworm, Mythimna separata (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae).

Recently, light traps equipped with light-emitting diodes (LEDs) have been widely applied for controlling nocturnal pest moths. The oriental armyworm, known as Mythimna separata Walker, is an important insect pest in eastern Asia. The present study aimed to evaluate an influence of green light irradiation on antioxidant enzymes and light stress in M. separata adults. We determined total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) and an activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), peroxidase (POD), and glutathione-S-transferase (GST) in the moth bodies according to an exposure time (0 to 180 min) of a green LED light. By our results, we suggested that the green (520 nm) LED light irradiation could induce a weak oxidative stress in M. separata adult moths, and the moths under the green light could restore the damage caused by this light stress. Additionally, we proposed that the adaptive ability to the light stress varied between the moths of different sexes. Our results may provide a theoretical and scientific basis for elucidating a reason of the phototactic behavior of nocturnal moths, including M. separata adults.