Data from: Impact of short- and long-duration thermal stress on antioxidant enzyme activity in Parthenium beetles

Insects encounter variable temperature conditions in their natural
habitats. Under non-optimal temperatures, they experience thermal-stress
and oxidative damage, which are mitigated by antioxidant enzymes like
superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and lipid peroxidation (LPO).
While the short-term effects of thermal stress on anti-oxidant enzyme
activities in insects are well understood, the long-term effects are less
explored. We investigated both short-term (3 and 6 hours) and long-term
(24 hours) effects of thermal-stress on SOD, CAT, and LPO activities in
the Parthenium beetle, Zygogramma bicolorata Pallister at cold
(15ºC), control/optimal (25ºC), and hot (35ºC) temperatures. Although Z.
bicolorata is an effective biocontrol agent for noxious Parthenium weed,
no prior study assessed the impact of thermal stress on antioxidant enzyme
activities in this beetle. Our results revealed that antioxidant enzyme
activities increased above control levels in both larvae and adults when
exposed to thermal stress for short durations. Under long-term
thermal-stress, CAT and LPO activities decreased below control levels,
while SOD activity increased. Regardless of temperature conditions, early
larval instars exhibited higher enzyme activities compared to later
instars. In adults, males showed higher SOD and CAT activities, whereas
LPO activity did not differ significantly between sexes. Our findings
suggest that short-term thermal stress can stimulate protective enzyme
activity in these beetles and help them adapt to sub-optimal temperatures.
However, prolonged exposure may lead to excessive stimulation, potentially
inhibiting protective enzyme activity and causing the beetles to activate
alternative pathways to manage thermal stress. Moreover, fourth instars
and adult females are the most thermal-stress-tolerant stages for
Parthenium biocontrol.