Cellullar defense responses of 5th instar larvae of the apple ermine moth, Yponomeuta malinellus (Lepidoptera: Yponomeutidae) against starvation and termal stresses and Bacillus thuringiensis

The role of hemocytes and the phenoloxidase system in insect cell defense has been proven. The number of hemocytes is affected by any type tension or entry foreign agent to the hemolymph. Insects with a strong immune system can sometimes change the pathogenicity of a pathogenic agent or stop it. In this research, the effect of Starvation stresses, the effect of thermal stresses and Bacillus thuringiensis on cell defense of fifth instar larvae of the apple ermine moth, Yponomeuta malinellus Zeller were investigated. The results of the starvation period test showed that there was a significant difference in total hemocyte count, prohemocytes, granulocytes, plasmatocytes, and oenocytoids In the hemolymph of hungry larvae for 48 hours. Also The phenoxoxidase activity was significantly reduced Under the starvation stress 24 hours and after 48 hours starvation showed an increasing trend. the effect of different thermal stresses on The total number of cells was quite significant.. Feeding the infected leaves to bacterium B. thuringiensis significantly increased the total number of hemocytes and the activity of phenoloxidase. These factors decreased significantly over time for up to 24 hours indicating a positive reaction of the blood cells against the foreign agent during the initial hours of entering the hemolymph. These results can be considered as introduction to recognition physiological defense characteristics of the apple ermine moth and to be considered in microbial control programs.