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Previous encapsulation response enhances within individual protection against fungal parasite in the mealworm beetle Tenebrio molitor
Author(s) -
Krams Indrikis,
Daukste Janina,
Kivleniece Inese,
Krama Tatjana,
Rantala Markus J.
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
insect science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.991
H-Index - 45
eISSN - 1744-7917
pISSN - 1672-9609
DOI - 10.1111/j.1744-7917.2012.01574.x
Subject(s) - mealworm , biology , immune system , fungus , entomopathogenic fungus , parasite hosting , microbiology and biotechnology , zoology , immunology , larva , biological pest control , ecology , botany , beauveria bassiana , world wide web , computer science
Immune defenses of insects show either broad reactions or specificity and durability of induced protection against attacking parasites and pathogens. In this study, we tested whether encapsulation response against nylon monofilament increases between two attempts of activation of immune system in mealworm beetles Tenebrio molitor , and whether previous exposure to nylon monofilament may also increase protection against an entomopathogenic fungus. We found that survival of beetles subjected to immune activation by nylon implant and subsequent fungal exposure a week later was significantly higher than survival of beetles which had been subjected to fungal infection only. This result suggests that previous immune activation by the nylon implant may be considered as broad spectrum “immune priming” which helps to fight not only the same intruder but also other parasites.