Abstract: The comparison of hemolymph protein composition and content between the parasitized and unparasitized host will contribute to explore the regulating mechanism of parasitization. Using Brontispa longissima and Tetrastichus brontispae as experimental insects, the change of protein patterns from the parasitized and unparasitized Brontispa longissima pupae at different stages were analyzed using two dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE) and image analysis system. The results showed that at 0.5, 1, 2, 3 and 4 d after parasitization, 982, 926, 712, 636 and 680 protein spots were detected in the parasitized pupae respectively, of which 650, 400, 336, 229 and 150 were the specific protein spots; there were a total of 645, 817, 640, 873 and 940 protein spots in the unparasitized pupae, respectively, of which 313, 291, 264, 466 and 410 were the specific protein spots. Comparison result showed that 332, 526, 376, 407 and 530 pairs were matched in both the parasitized and unparasitized pupae at 0.5, 1, 2, 3 and 4 d after parasitization, respectively. The irregular changes in protein patterns suggest that the physiological function of host is affected seriously by the parasitism.

Key words: Tetrastichus brontispae, Brontispa longissima, parasitism, hemolymph protein, two dimensional electrophoresis, image analysis