Análise morfológica e ultra-estrutural do mesêntero de Alabama argillacea (Hubner) (Lepidoptera : Noctuidae) frente à toxina Cry1Ac

Abstract

The cotton leafworm, Alabama argillacea (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) is an important cotton pest in Brazil, occurring almost in the whole growing season and causing economic losses between 21 and 35%. Bt cotton expressing Cry1Ac protein, a toxin from the bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis (Berliner) (Bt), has recently been released in Brazil. It is resistant to the main cotton lepidopteran pests occurring in Brazil. Bt toxins must interact with a receptor to trigger a toxic effect, although other endogenous factors may account for the differential Bt toxins selectivity towards insects. Therefore, studies on the Cry1Ac interaction with the cotton pests midguts are important to understand insect responses when exposed to the Bt cotton. Then, the aim of this work was to provide an histochemical, morphological, and ultrastructural description of the midgut of A. argillacea larvae fed with the isoline cotton (AcalaDTL-90) and the Bt cotton (AcalaDTL-90B). The morphological, histochemical, and ultrastructural characteristics of the A. argillacea midgut were very similar to those previously described for most lepidopterans. However, the mitochondrial polymorphism and bifurcate microvilli suggest an ultrastructural and physiological modification, which may cause a higherabsorption and secretion in the columnar cells. Such hypothesis may account for faster toxin and/or microbial agent action, suggesting that this species may be highly susceptible to some ofthese agents. After 20 min, A. argillacea 4th-ínstar larvae feeding on Bt cotton leaves (AcalaDTL-90B) showed alterations on the midgut walls. During that time, morphological and ultrastructural alterations in the goblet and columnar cells were observed, although more prominent on the former. Also, a reduced number of regenerative cells, a deterioration of the muscle layer, and the peritrophic membrane destruction in some midgut regions were observed. The study overall conclusion is that the Cry1Ac toxin acts relatively fast in the A. argillacea midgut, causing severe and irreversible alterations.