Natural cellular immunity in field-collected insects from Hatay province by assessing nodulation

Natural microbial infections to insects collected from agrarian fields surrounding Hatay Province,Turkey were determined by assessing nodulaiton which is one of insect cellular immunity. After identifying insect specimens, the insects were dissected to assess numbers of nodules. Nodulation is one of the predominant cellular immune reactions to microbial infections and the nodules are permanently attached to internal surfaces of the insects. We collected about 660 insect specimens for nodulation and found nodules in 99 % out of all the examined specimens. Appearance of examined insects was healthy. Number of nodules in each insect ranged from 1 to 118. Our results indicated that insects are regularly challenged by microbial infections in nature and insect immune systems can limit the host range and effectiveness of microbial agents deployed in biological control programs. Therefore, undertsanding insect immune systems is important for the efficacy and use of microbial pesticides in biological control of insects.