Effect of entomopathogenic fungi on detoxification enzyme activity in greater wax moth Galleria mellonella L. (Lepidoptera, Pyralidae) and role of detoxification enzymes in development of insect resistance to entomopathogenic fungi

Fungal infection of insects increases total esterase and glutathione S-transferase activities in the hemolymph. Activities of acid and alkaline phosphatases were similar in the infected and intact insects. Fungal infection increased the resistance of greater wax moth caterpillars to organophosphorus insecticide malathion 1.46 times relative to intact caterpillars. Possible involvement of detoxification enzymes in the development of insect resistance to entomopathogenic fungi and development of complex biological products based on entomopathogenic microorganisms and inhibitors of detoxification enzymes are discussed.