Our recent paper “Boron compounds are effective on Tribolium castaneum (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae): Reduced lipogenesis and induced body weight loss” just got accepted for publication in Archives of Insect Biochemistry & Physiology!
In the study, we investigated the insecticidal efficacy of two borates, disodium octaborate tetrahydrate (Etidot-67) and calcium metaborate (CMB) via surface application or diet delivery on the red flour beetle, Tribolium castaneum (Herbst, 1797) (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae). The application method did not change the boron-related mortality, but CMB was more effective than Etidot-67. At the highest dose, it took around 13 days to reach the highest mortality (≥ 98.1%) for CMB, while it was 19 days for Etidot-67 (≥ 95.8%). Both boron compounds led to a significant reduction in triglyceride levels in parallel to the down-regulation of acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC) and fatty acid synthase (FAS), the two primary genes involved in de novo lipogenesis, while they also induced body weight loss. In brief, the current study indicated the insecticidal potential of boron compounds but CMB is more promising and more effective in controlling T. castaneum, while lipogenesis is inhibited and weight loss is induced by boron compounds.
As Türkiye has the highest boron reserves in the world (around 73%), the current paper is quite important in terms of common use of boron-based insecticides! Plus, we used the original borates that were synthesized from Turkish ore beds in our study. As a final point, the paper provides new insight into the mode of action of boron-based insecticides as exposure to boron compounds led to reduced TG levels and down-regulation of the lipogenic genes, the ACC, and FAS. Such an action has been demonstrated for the first time in an insect pest. However, further research is necessary to determine a well-explained mode of action of boron in insects.
