Antioxidant Defense Response of the Green Peach Aph id, Myzus persicae against Secondary Metabolites of the Host Plants Cumin, Anise, and Coriander

Abstract

The green peach aphid, Myzus persicae is a polyphagous herbivore, attacking apiaceae plants which are rich in defensive secondary metabo lites. Thus, M. persicae owns a protective antioxidative response to overcome the h ost defense. The aim of the present study was to investigate the adaptive antioxidative response of M. persicae against the secondary metabolites of cumin, anise, and coriande r. The dietary antioxidants, ascorbic acid and glutathione and enzymatic antioxidants, su peroxide dismutase, catalase, ascorbate peroxidase and glutathione peroxidase wit hin tissues of M. persicae were measured every two weeks during the infestation sea son. The obtained results show that Anise could be a good recommended host in the begin ning of the infestation season because it confers escalading levels of ascorbic ac id. Coriander and cumin could be a second choice. The variable levels of enzymatic ant ioxidants during the season indicate the adaptive responses of M. persicae against the plant defensive secondary metabolites. Keywords : Adaptive responses, Apiaceae, Enzymatic antioxidant s, Herbivorous pests.