author(s)
Meena Thakur, KR Phimu and Anchal Rana

abstract
The present investigation was conducted to study the heavy metal accumulation and impact on protein content of Brahmina coriaceae infesting Populus deltoides at the Research Farm of Department of Environmental Science, Dr Y S Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni, Solan, H.P during 2014- 2015. The impact of soil application of graded doses of Cd and Hg in the protein content and their accumulation in the body of the white grub larvae was studied. Cd and Hg content in the larval body ranged from 0.032-0.101 ppm and 0.010-0.075 ppm, respectively. There was decrease in protein content from 8.97% (control) to 4.96% (Cd 20 ppm and Hg 20 ppm) in the body of white grub larvae. The observed ability of white grubs to continue growth even at higher doses of Cd and Hg and the ability to accumulate metals in their tissues demonstrated its resistance to moderate to high levels of metals.