Evaluation of the Potential of a Lectin Extracted from L. as a Biorational Agent against L.

Rice weevil, L. (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), is one of the most destructive stored-product pests that is resistant to a wide range of chemical insecticides. In the present study, we investigated whether a lectin extracted from L. (PPA) can be used as a biorational agent to control such insect pests. Along with the lethal digestive assay, the sub-lethal insecticidal activities of PPA, including the effects on digestive, detoxifying, and antioxidant enzyme activities, were evaluated against adults. The effect of feeding a diet containing PPA and carob extract as a food attractant on the mortality of adults was also investigated. Feeding on the diet containing PPA resulted in a significant mortality of adults with a LC (Lethal Concentration to kill 50% of insects) of 3.68% (/). The activity of digestive enzymes, including α-amylase, α-glucosidase, TAG-lipase, trypsin, chymotrypsin, elastase, and carboxy- and aminopeptidase, were decreased by the sub-lethal concentration of PPA. Detoxifying and antioxidant enzymes, including esterase, superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione-S-transferase, ascorbate peroxidase, glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase, and malondialdehyde, were activated in adults affected by PPA. These findings indicated that PPA, in addition to causing digestive disorders, leads to oxidative stress in . The presence of carob extract had no effect on the PPA-induced mortality of the insect. According to the results of the present study, PPA has promising insecticidal efficiency against . In addition, the usage of PPA with a food attractant carob extract in bait traps can be recommended as a new biorational formulation in . management.