Cytotoxic effects of α-terthienyl on the midgut of the tobacco hornworm, Manduca sexta

The toxic effects of sublethal doses of α-terthienyl, a secondary metabolite of Asteraceae, was studied on the fifth instar larvae of Manduca sexta following continuous feeding for 24 h. Localized areas of damage to midgut epithelial cells were observed with swelling and rupture of both columnar and goblet cells. However, the midgut appears to recover from this damage and continue normal development, suggesting the ability of an oligophagous species like M. sexta to repair and recover from the effect of these toxins.