dc.contributor.author |
Vencl, Fredric V. |
en |
dc.contributor.author |
Gomez Q., Nelida E. |
en |
dc.contributor.author |
Ploss, Kerstin |
en |
dc.contributor.author |
Boland, Wilhelm |
en |
dc.date.accessioned |
2011-04-21T16:40:12Z |
|
dc.date.available |
2011-04-21T16:40:12Z |
|
dc.date.issued |
2009 |
|
dc.identifier.citation |
Vencl, Fredric V., Gomez Q., Nelida E., Ploss, Kerstin, and Boland, Wilhelm. 2009. "<a href="https%3A%2F%2Frepository.si.edu%2Fhandle%2F10088%2F15962">The chlorophyll catabolite, pheophorbide a, confers predation resistance in a larval tortoise beetle shield defense</a>." <em>Journal of Chemical Ecology</em>. 35 (3):281–288. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1007/s10886-008-9577-1">https://doi.org/10.1007/s10886-008-9577-1</a> |
en |
dc.identifier.uri |
http://hdl.handle.net/10088/15962 |
|
dc.description.abstract |
Larval insect herbivores feeding externally on leaves are vulnerable to numerous and varied enemies. Larvae of the Neotropical herbivore, <I>Chelymorpha alternans</I> (Chrysomelidae:Cassidinae), possess shields made of cast skins and feces, which can be aimed and waved at attacking enemies. Prior work with <I>C. alternans</I> feeding on <I>Merremia umbellata</I> (Convolvulaceae) showed that shields offered protection from generalist predators, and polar compounds were implicated. This study used a ubiquitous ant predator, <I>Azteca lacrymosa</I>, in field bioassays to determine the chemical constitution of the defense. We confirmed that intact shields do protect larvae and that methanol-water leaching significantly reduced shield effectiveness. Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) of the methanolic shield extract revealed two peaks at 20.18 min and 21.97 min, both with a molecular ion at <I>m</I>/<I>z</I> 593.4, and a strong UV absorption around 409 nm, suggesting a porphyrin-type compound. LC-MS analysis of a commercial standard confirmed pheophorbide <I>a</I> (Ph<I>a</I>) identity. <I>C. alternans</I> shields contained more than 100 µg Ph<I>a</I> per shield. Shields leached with methanol-water did not deter ants. Methanol-water-leached shields enhanced with 3 µg of Ph<I>a</I> were more deterrent than larvae with solvent-leached shields, while those with 5 µg additional Ph<I>a</I> provided slightly less deterrence than larvae with intact shields. Solvent-leached shields with 10 µg added Ph<I>a</I> were comparable to intact shields, even though the Ph<I>a</I> concentration was less than 10% of its natural concentration. Our findings are the first to assign an ecological role for a chlorophyll catabolite as a deterrent in an insect defense. |
en |
dc.relation.ispartof |
Journal of Chemical Ecology |
en |
dc.title |
The chlorophyll catabolite, pheophorbide <I>a</I>, confers predation resistance in a larval tortoise beetle shield defense |
en |
dc.type |
Journal Article |
en |
dc.identifier.srbnumber |
77690 |
|
dc.identifier.doi |
10.1007/s10886-008-9577-1 |
|
rft.jtitle |
Journal of Chemical Ecology |
|
rft.volume |
35 |
|
rft.issue |
3 |
|
rft.spage |
281 |
|
rft.epage |
288 |
|
dc.description.SIUnit |
Encyclopedia of Life |
en |
dc.description.SIUnit |
Forces of Change |
en |
dc.description.SIUnit |
Chrysomelidae |
en |
dc.description.SIUnit |
Cassidinae |
en |
dc.description.SIUnit |
Chelymorpha |
en |
dc.description.SIUnit |
Gamboa |
en |
dc.description.SIUnit |
STRI |
en |
dc.citation.spage |
281 |
|
dc.citation.epage |
288 |
|