Data from: Impact of short- and long-duration thermal stress on antioxidant enzyme activity in Parthenium beetles
Dryad has been alerted to concerns over a number of repeated values in the dataset, and where the dataset supports this published paper [1]. The corresponding and co-authors have been informed of these concerns, and we await their response. Dryad is therefore posting this Expression of Concern, of which the authors have been informed, while we collaborate with the authors and Physiological Entomology to further investigate.
[1]: Impact of short- and long-duration thermal stress on antioxidant enzyme activity in Parthenium beetles. Priyanka Yadav, Arvind Kumar Patel, Parinita Singh, Sourabh Verma, Ritabrata Chowdhury, Bhupendra Kumar. Physiological Entomology. Vol 50, Iss 2, pp 139-151. First published 18 December 2024. https://doi.org/10.1111/phen.12475.
Data files
Jun 10, 2025 version files 56.24 KB
-
Experimental_Data.xlsx
54.52 KB
-
README.md
1.72 KB
Abstract
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.
https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.4mw6m90mp
Description of the data and file structure
The dataset consists of a data file named Experimental_Data.xlsx.
The present study examines the short-term (3 and 6 hours) and long-term (24 hours) effects of thermal stress on antioxidant defense mechanisms in the Parthenium beetle, Zygogramma bicolorata Pallister. Specifically, the activities of key antioxidant enzymes—superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT)—and the level of lipid peroxidation (LPO) were measured under different thermal conditions.
Thermal stress was applied at three temperature regimes: cold stress (15°C), optimal/control temperature (25°C), and heat stress (35°C). In total, four stress durations were considered: no stress (0 hours, control), and stress exposures of 3, 6, and 24 hours.
The study encompassed multiple developmental stages of Z. bicolorata, including second, third, and fourth instar larvae, as well as adult males and females. Each stage was evaluated for the three physiological parameters, viz. SOD (measured as U/mg), CAT (measured as U/mg), and LPO (measured as nmol TBARS/mg protein) in response to the varying thermal and temporal stress conditions. Each experiment was replicated ten times per stage per setup (analysis data sheet) and per duration (DATA sheet).
This comprehensive experimental design aimed to elucidate the biochemical responses of Z. bicolorata to thermal stress, contributing to a better understanding of the insect’s adaptability and resilience under changing environmental temperatures.