Flubendiamide-Induced HSP70 Expression in Transgenic Drosophila melanogaster (hsp70-lacZ)

Flubendiamide is a novel class of insecticides against lepidopteran insects. With a view to explore if this chemical is safe for non-targeted organisms, its effect was studied through assessment of heat shock protein (HSP70) expression in third instar larvae of transgenic Drosophila melanogaster, Bg9 (hsp70-lacZ). Dietary concentrations covering a range (5, 10, 20 and 40 μg/ml) of 20% flubendiamide were used for treatment of larvae for different durations (1, 3, 6 and 24 h). Reporter gene assay confirmed that HSP70 expression varied in tissues depending upon treatment concentration and exposure duration. The 5 μg/ml treatment stimulated higher stress response during the initial hours, which declined later (6 and 24 h). Nearly all tissues (humerus, brain, proventriculus, etc.) responded initially with the 20 μg/ml treatment, which declined with increasing exposure. Hence low concentration and short-term exposure of flubendiamide to non-target organisms seems to be highly effective as stressor and thus demands awareness in decreasing irrational use of the chemical.