ISSN:
1423-0445
Keywords:
oviposition
;
kairomone
;
host plant selection
;
indole glucosinolates
;
Cruciferae
;
Brassica oleracea
;
cabbage
;
Lepidoptera
;
Pieridae
;
Pieris brassicae
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Biology
Notes:
Summary Chemicals present on the surface of cabbage (Brassica oleracea L.) leaves were extracted by dipping these leaves for 3 s in dichloromethane followed by a 3 s dip in methanol. When offered in dual choice bioassays using green paper cards as a substrate, the methanol extract stimulated oviposition activity byPieris brassicae L. (Lepidoptera: Pieridae) females. The oviposition stimulant was isolated using medium pressure liquid chromatography, reversed-phase HPLC, ion-pair HPLC and ion exchange chromatography. Using1H-NMR spectroscopy, the stimulant could be identified as glucobrassicin (3-indolyl-methyl-glucosinolate). When pure glucobrassicin was offered at a dose identical to that in the crude methanol extract, butterflies did not discriminate between these two substrates in a dual choice test. It is argued that a high sensitivity for indole glucosinolates as host recognition factors may confer an adaptive value for these specialist crucifer feeders. The nutritional significance of their precursor tryptophan and the non-volatile nature of the aglycones formed upon enzymic hydrolysis in damaged tissues are proposed as properties of indole glucosinolates that contribute to this possible adaptive advantage.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF01261455
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