Bees originally developed their stinging apparatus and venom against members of their own species from other hives or against predatory insects. Nevertheless, the biological and biochemical response of arthropods to bee venom is not well studied. Thus, in this study, the physiological responses of a model insect species (American cockroach, Periplaneta americana) to honeybee venom were investigated. Bee venom toxins elicited severe stress (LD50 = 1.063 uL venom) resulting in a significant increase in adipokinetic hormones (AKHs) in the cockroach central nervous system and haemolymph. Venom treatment induced a large destruction of muscle cell ultrastructure, especially myofibrils and sarcomeres. Interestingly, co-application of venom with cockroach Peram-CAH-II AKH eliminated this effect. Envenomation modulated the levels of carbohydrates, lipids, and proteins in the haemolymph and the activity of digestive amylases, lipases, and proteases in the midgut. Bee venom significantly reduced vitellogenin levels in females. Dopamine and glutathione (GSH and GSSG) insignificantly increased after venom treatment. However, dopamine levels significantly increased after Peram-CAH-II application and after co-application with bee venom, while GSH and GSSG levels immediately increased after co-application. The results suggest a general reaction of the cockroach body to bee venom and at least a partial involvement of AKHs.

Biology Centre Institute of Entomology CAS Branišovská 31 370 05 Ceske Budejovice Czech Republic

Central European Institute of Technology Brno University of Technology Purkyňova 656 123 612 00 Brno Czech Republic

Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry Faculty of AgriSciences Mendel University in Brno Zemědělská 1665 1 613 00 Brno Czech Republic

Faculty of Science University of South Bohemia Branišovská 31a 370 05 Ceske Budejovice Czech Republic

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Unusual functions of insect vitellogenins: minireview