Immune and defense mechanisms in representatives of Blattodea and Orthoptera: a review

Abstract

Among insects orders, Blattodea and Orthoptera are characteristic with their high significance to human habitation, as posing medical and agricultural problems. Representatives of Blattodea have an important role as carriers of a number of infectious diseases in humans and animals, and are directly related to human life and activities. On the other hand Orthoptera are very significant as agricultural pests that cause great damage to plants. The study of the mechanisms of immune defense and the processes related to the response against pathogenic infections in these two orders is of interest in order to more fully clarify the possibilities for management and control of their populations. This review summarizes the information on the defense mechanisms (hemocytes, antimicrobial peptides, pathogen recognition, signaling patways, immune and antiviral responses) studied in representatives of these two orders. The list includes 30 species of cockroaches and termites and 59 orthopteran species, and focuses on species with medical significance (Periplaneta americana, Blattella germanica) and insect pests for agriculture such as Locusta migratoria and Schistocerca gregaria.