THE INFLUENCE OF NANODIAMONDS ON THE DEVELOPMENTAL PARAMETERS OF HOUSE CRICKET (ACHETA DOMESTICUS)

This work aimed to evaluate the developmental parameters of Acheta domesticus after
two-generation exposure to low dietary concentrations of NDs (doses: 0.2 and 2 μg·g-1).
The wild insect line and an insect line selected for longevity to verify coping mechanisms
with environmental stress. It was designed to assess whether NDs administered during the
life cycle of crickets in successive generations affect the developmental parameters and the
proportion of larvae with particularly slow growth (so-called midgets). The second aim was
to test whether individuals selected from a long-lived line exhibit more efficient compensatory mechanisms related to organismal development than individuals from the wild line. In
addition, the regenerative capacity of the insects was examined after NDs withdrawal.
To collect data, photographs of individual insect cohorts were taken on defined developmental days and analyzed using ImageJ software. Extensive data were collected showing
changes in body size and comparisons of developmental rates between groups and lines.
The results proved the largest body size of 1st generation and significantly higher growth
rate. It can be assumed that exposure to low doses of ND to be safe. Generation 2nd from
both lines exhibited significantly smaller sizes, particularly in the wild line treated with
higher ND concentrations. It is speculated that ND-induced epigenetic modifications may
shape offspring responses. Elimination of ND from the diet did not restore the studied parameters. Importantly, there was a noticeable increase in the percentage of so-called midgets. The inherited epigenetic pattern may be inadequate after the withdrawal of the stress factor.
The negative effects of NDs may extend beyond the “contact time” with these particles.
Environmental contamination by NDs is challenging, especially in multigenerational exposures. Special care must be taken when using NDs in various areas of life.