We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Ecotoxicological effects of a glyphosate-based herbicide on Gryllus (Gryllus) assimilis (Orthoptera: Gryllidae) ontogeny: A study on antioxidant system, oxidative stress and cholinergic system
Summary
Researchers exposed crickets (Gryllus assimilis) to a glyphosate-based herbicide throughout their entire life cycle and measured changes in antioxidant enzymes, cholinergic enzymes, and lipid peroxidation across five developmental stages. This is an insect ecotoxicology study about pesticide exposure — it is not about microplastics and is a false positive for microplastic relevance.
Abstract Brazil is an important global agricultural producer and to increase production the country has extensively used glyphosate-based herbicides (GBH), surpassing consumption and sales records. Consequently, concerns have arisen regarding the potential impact of GBH on ecosystems and non-target organisms. Thus, the effects of GBH exposure were evaluated throughout the cricket Gryllus (Gryllus) assimilis ontogeny, with five developmental stages. Each period contained 3 control and 3 treated boxes, with 15 crickets each, resulting in 90 insects at a time. The control groups received water, while the treated ones were continuously exposed to GBH (0.864 mg.GBH.L-1), with the solutions changed every 48 hours. After each exposure time the crickets’ group were euthanized to assess the activity of antioxidant enzymes (GST, GR, GPx, and CAT), cholinergic enzymes (ChE), and lipid peroxidation (LPO). The results revealed changes in the systems throughout different developmental phases. Specifically, CAT activity exhibited a significant increase during the nymphal phase, associated with the dismutation of hydrogen peroxide. The GST increased GBH, indicating its role in cellular detoxification, particularly during adulthood. In the senescence stage there was a considerable rise in ChE enzymes, suggesting their involvement in both, choline esters breakdown and potential pesticide detoxification. The action of these enzymes to effectively control lipid peroxidation shows the adaptability of this species to environmental contamination. These findings underscore the long-term effects of agrochemical pollution and emphasize the importance of sustainable practices, effective regulations, and alternative weed control methods.
Sign in to start a discussion.
More Papers Like This
Alteration in the Antioxidant Enzymes Activities as Potential Biomarkers for Identification of Stress Caused by Afidopyropen Intoxication in Cyprinus Carpio.
This paper is not relevant to microplastics research — it studies oxidative stress biomarkers in common carp (Cyprinus carpio) exposed to afidopyropen, a synthetic insecticide, with no connection to plastic pollution.
Developmental Effects of Microplastic Ingestion on the Tropical House Cricket Gryllodes sigillatus
Researchers fed crickets diets containing different concentrations of polyethylene microbeads and polyester microfibers, finding that both types reduced body weight gain and development compared to controls. This is one of the few studies on microplastic effects on terrestrial insects, which are important for food webs, pollination, and nutrient cycling.
Interactions between microplastics and insects in terrestrial ecosystems—A systematic review and meta-analysis
This meta-analysis with phylogenetic control found that microplastic exposure impairs key biological traits of insects, primarily behavior and reproduction, with effects varying by polymer type and particle size. Field evidence confirmed that insects ingest and transfer microplastics along food chains, and also contribute to bio-fragmentation of larger plastic debris into smaller particles.
Interaction of microplastics and terrestrial and aquatic insects (bioaccumulation, degradation, ecotoxicological effects)
This review synthesizes research on how insects — both aquatic and terrestrial — interact with microplastics, covering ingestion, bioaccumulation, potential degradation, and toxic effects across many species. Insects represent a critical but understudied link in microplastic transfer through food webs: they occupy a pivotal trophic position, and contamination in insects can propagate to birds, fish, and other wildlife that depend on them. The review highlights significant knowledge gaps in terrestrial insect ecotoxicology compared to the better-studied aquatic realm.
Microplastics in the digestive tract of Gryllus pennsylvanicus crickets in a biosolid – treated agricultural field
Researchers found microplastics in the digestive tracts of over half of wild crickets collected from agricultural fields in Ontario, Canada, where sewage-based fertilizer had been applied. The crickets appeared to break down larger plastic pieces into smaller fragments, potentially spreading microplastic contamination further through the ecosystem. This shows that insects living in farm fields are ingesting microplastics and may be contributing to the movement and breakdown of plastic pollution in the food web.