COPPER-INDUCED CHANGES OF THE STORAGE PROTEIN-LEVELS IN MAMESTRA-BRASSICAE (LEPIDOPTERA, NOCTUIDAE)

Larvae of Mamestra brassicae (Lepidoptera, Noctuidae) were reared on a semi-synthetic diet contaminated with copper. (7.6 or 76 mu g/g diet dry weight). Haemolymph and fat body storage protein concentrations of metal-treated last instar larvae and pupae were determined using ELIS A. In larvae treated with higher copper dose the level of haemolymph a nd fat body storage proteins was 1.5 times lower and 1.7 times higher, respectively compared with the control. In comparison with control pu pae, haemolymph and fat body storage protein levels in pupae treated w ith lower copper dose changed only to a small extent. Individuals trea ted with higher copper dose did not pupate.