Journal
CHEMOECOLOGY
Volume 16, Issue 4, Pages 179-184Publisher
BIRKHAUSER VERLAG AG
DOI: 10.1007/s00049-006-0342-z
Keywords
Epilachna paenulata; coleoptera; Coccinellidae; alkaloids; chemical defenses; ontogenetic variation
Categories
Ask authors/readers for more resources
The defensive chemistry of the ladybird beetle Epilachna paenulata (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) was characterized as a mixture of piperidine, homotropane and pyrrolidine alkaloids. Whole body extracts of adult beetles contain four major alkaloids: 1-(6-Methyl-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-pyridin2-yl)-propan-2-one; 1-(6-methyl-2-piperidyl)-propan-2-one; 9-aza-1-methyl-bicyclo[3.3.1]nonan-3-one and 1- (2- hydroxyethyl)-2-(12'-aminotridecyl)-pyrrolidine. Comparative studies of the defensive chemistry of eggs, larvae, pupae and adults showed both qualitative and quantitative differences in alkaloid composition among the four life stages, and also within adult age. Laboratory predation bioassays with wolf spiders showed that the adults are better protected than the larvae and pupae. Field tests showed the adult alkaloid extract to be deterrent to ants.
Authors
I am an author on this paper
Click your name to claim this paper and add it to your profile.
Reviews
Recommended
No Data Available