Research Article

Responses of acetylcholinesterase and glutathione S-transferases activities to thiamethoxam toxicity in Blattella germanica (L., 1767) (Blattodea: Ectobiidae)

Volume: 50 Number: 1 March 31, 2026
TR EN

Responses of acetylcholinesterase and glutathione S-transferases activities to thiamethoxam toxicity in Blattella germanica (L., 1767) (Blattodea: Ectobiidae)

Abstract

Cockroaches are significant pests that act as vectors for many disease agents, and the indiscriminate use of insecticides has led to widespread resistance development in these species. This study, conducted at Karamanoğlu Mehmetbey University between 2023 and 2024, aimed to determine the toxic effects of thiamethoxam on German cockroach, Blattella germanica (L., 1767) (Blattodea: Ectobiidae) populations and to investigate the responses of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and glutathione S-transferase (GST). The field populations (Dokuma, Konyaaltı, and Ahatlı) generally exhibited low levels of resistance to thiamethoxam at a range of 1.88-3.24-fold compared to the susceptible World Health Organization (WHO) strain. The WHO group showed the lowest AChE activity before and after thiamethoxam exposure compared to the field groups (p<0.05). The most significant decrease in AChE activity was observed in the WHO group at 25%, while the decrease in the Ahatlı group was more limited, remaining at 13%. GST activity in the susceptible WHO strain was lower than that of field strains, and the difference was significant. Thiamethoxam-treated Dokuma and Konyaaltı groups exhibited the highest GST activity alterations (44%). However, Ahatlı showed the highest GST activity after the thiamethoxam administration. Principal component analysis (PCA) and Hierarchical clustering analysis (HCA) confirmed the WHO groups were most biochemically differentiated. Analyzing enzymatic biomarkers contributes to more comprehensive insights into the toxicodynamic characteristics of thiamethoxam.

Keywords

Supporting Institution

This study was supported by The Scientific and Technological Research Council of Türkiye (TÜBİTAK), Türkiye, Grant Project No: 122C241.

Project Number

122C241

Ethical Statement

Ethical approval is not required for this study.

Thanks

The authors are thankful to The Scientific and Technological Research Council of Türkiye (TÜBİTAK) for financial support (Project No: 122C241), and also to Prof. Dr. Hüseyin Çetin and the laboratory staff, for providing cockroaches and necessary support during the research work.

References

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Entomology, Pesticides and Toxicology

Journal Section

Research Article

Publication Date

March 31, 2026

Submission Date

November 4, 2025

Acceptance Date

February 12, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 50 Number: 1

APA
Öz, E., & Temiz, M. A. (2026). Responses of acetylcholinesterase and glutathione S-transferases activities to thiamethoxam toxicity in Blattella germanica (L., 1767) (Blattodea: Ectobiidae). Turkish Journal of Entomology, 50(1), 59-72. https://doi.org/10.16970/entoted.1816308
AMA
1.Öz E, Temiz MA. Responses of acetylcholinesterase and glutathione S-transferases activities to thiamethoxam toxicity in Blattella germanica (L., 1767) (Blattodea: Ectobiidae). TED. 2026;50(1):59-72. doi:10.16970/entoted.1816308
Chicago
Öz, Emre, and Mehmet Ali Temiz. 2026. “Responses of Acetylcholinesterase and Glutathione S-Transferases Activities to Thiamethoxam Toxicity in Blattella Germanica (L., 1767) (Blattodea: Ectobiidae)”. Turkish Journal of Entomology 50 (1): 59-72. https://doi.org/10.16970/entoted.1816308.
EndNote
Öz E, Temiz MA (March 1, 2026) Responses of acetylcholinesterase and glutathione S-transferases activities to thiamethoxam toxicity in Blattella germanica (L., 1767) (Blattodea: Ectobiidae). Turkish Journal of Entomology 50 1 59–72.
IEEE
[1]E. Öz and M. A. Temiz, “Responses of acetylcholinesterase and glutathione S-transferases activities to thiamethoxam toxicity in Blattella germanica (L., 1767) (Blattodea: Ectobiidae)”, TED, vol. 50, no. 1, pp. 59–72, Mar. 2026, doi: 10.16970/entoted.1816308.
ISNAD
Öz, Emre - Temiz, Mehmet Ali. “Responses of Acetylcholinesterase and Glutathione S-Transferases Activities to Thiamethoxam Toxicity in Blattella Germanica (L., 1767) (Blattodea: Ectobiidae)”. Turkish Journal of Entomology 50/1 (March 1, 2026): 59-72. https://doi.org/10.16970/entoted.1816308.
JAMA
1.Öz E, Temiz MA. Responses of acetylcholinesterase and glutathione S-transferases activities to thiamethoxam toxicity in Blattella germanica (L., 1767) (Blattodea: Ectobiidae). TED. 2026;50:59–72.
MLA
Öz, Emre, and Mehmet Ali Temiz. “Responses of Acetylcholinesterase and Glutathione S-Transferases Activities to Thiamethoxam Toxicity in Blattella Germanica (L., 1767) (Blattodea: Ectobiidae)”. Turkish Journal of Entomology, vol. 50, no. 1, Mar. 2026, pp. 59-72, doi:10.16970/entoted.1816308.
Vancouver
1.Emre Öz, Mehmet Ali Temiz. Responses of acetylcholinesterase and glutathione S-transferases activities to thiamethoxam toxicity in Blattella germanica (L., 1767) (Blattodea: Ectobiidae). TED. 2026 Mar. 1;50(1):59-72. doi:10.16970/entoted.1816308