Thymus argaeus Boissier & Balansa (Lamiaceae): Insecticidal Activity Against Galleria mellonella (L.) (Lepidoptera:Pyralidae)

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Taştan F., Saraç Cebeci E. T., Baş H.

24th International Istanbul Scientific Research Congress on Life, Engineering, Architecture and Mathematical Sciences, İstanbul, Türkiye, 20 - 22 Şubat 2026, ss.411-421, (Tam Metin Bildiri)

  • Yayın Türü: Bildiri / Tam Metin Bildiri
  • Basıldığı Şehir: İstanbul
  • Basıldığı Ülke: Türkiye
  • Sayfa Sayıları: ss.411-421
  • Açık Arşiv Koleksiyonu: AVESİS Açık Erişim Koleksiyonu
  • Yozgat Bozok Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet

Özet

Chemical and biological substances used as pesticides increase the costs of sustainable control technologies due to the toxic effects on target organisms. Therefore, the use of environmentally friendly biopesticide candidates is of great importance. In this context, the insecticidal activity of the aerial part extract of Thymus argaeus Boissier & Balansa (Lamiaceae) on the larval stage of Galleria mellonella (L.) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) was investigated.

G. mellonella larvae were sterilized and exposed to different concentrations of extract (25 mg/mL, 20 mg/mL, 15 mg/mL, 10 mg/mL, 5 mg/mL, and 1 mg/mL). Mortality rates and LC₅₀ and LC₉₉ values were determined for the larvae using this treatment. In addition, to assess oxidative stress, the antioxidant enzyme activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and glutathione S-transferase (GST), as well as the activity of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were determined. In the evaluation of G. mellonella larvae, it was determined that mortality rates increased significantly as the extract concentration increased, and the results of the study revealed that the extract exhibited a dose-dependent toxic effect. Biochemical findings showed a decrease in antioxidant enzyme activities and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity, while malondialdehyde (MDA) levels increased. When the obtained data are evaluated together, it is seen that the water extract of Thymus argaeus causes oxidative stress in G. mellonella larvae, and these findings indicate that this effect has significant potential in terms of insect control.