Effect of Cadmium and Lead on Total Hemocyte Count of Achroia grisella Fabr. (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae)

Abstract

The effect of cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb) on total hemocyte count (THC) of Achroia grisella was examined under laboratory conditions. Larvae were reared on an artificial diet medium contaminated with three different concentrations (50, 100 and 200 mg/kg) of Cd and Pb. In the control group the insects fed a heavy metal free diet. All of the insects were kept at 25 ± 2 °C temperature, 60 ± 5% relative humidity and 16L:8D photoperiod conditions.The obtained data showed that the total hemocyte count of larvae exposed to Cd resulted in a significant decrease at all concentrations, whereas total hemocyte count of Pb-treated groups decreased only at the highest concentrations of Pb.