Investigating the Biopesticide Effects of Juniperus communis L.: Oxidative Stress and DNA Damage in Lasioderma serricorne (Coleoptera: Anobiidae)

Pesticides have adverse impacts not only on targeted pests but also on the surrounding environment and other species. Therefore, it is important to develop biopesticides. In this study, insecticidal activity against Lasioderma serricorne (F.) larval, pupal, and adult stages (Coleoptera: Anobiidae) was investigated using the essential oil (EO) of Juniperus communis L. berries. L. serricorne individuals were exposed to J. communis EO at varied concentrations (17.2 mg/L, 25.8 mg/L, 34.4 mg/L, 43 mg/L, 51.6 mg/L and 60.2 mg/L) for 24, 48, and 72 h. At the end of the experimental period, mortality, LC₅₀, LC₉₀, and LC₉₉ values for the insects were determined. In addition, antioxidant enzyme activities [Superoxide Dismutase (SOD), Glutathione-S-transferase (GST), Catalase (CAT), Glutathione Peroxidase (GPx), Glutathione reductase (GR)], acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity, 8-hydroxy-2-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG), reactive oxygene species (ROS), malondialdehyde (MDA)and DNA fragmentation levels were measured to determine the presence of oxidative stress. At the end of the examination, it was concluded that the larval stage of L. serricorne was the most affected by EO, while the pupal stage was the least affected. The mortality rate of L. serricorne increased with increasing the time and the concentration of exposure to EO. Antioxidant enzyme activity and 8-OHdG levels decreased, but MDA levels and DNA fragmentation increased. In light of the data collected, it was determined that the EO of J. communis has a key function in the control of the insect because it induces oxidative damage on L. serricorne. This study is the first to explore the effect of J. communis on L. serricorne.