Accumulation and excretion of beta-alanine in Papilio xuthus (lepidoptera: Papilionidae)

Abstract

• 1. The accumulation and excretion of free, soluble-bound, and insoluble-bound β-alanine during the pupal and adult stages of P. xuthus were investigated.

• 2. Free β-alanine increases from the middle pupal stage, reaches a maximum at the time of red-spot appearance, and then decreases down to the time of emergence.

• 3. The soluble-bound β-alanine sharply increases shortly before emergence and accumulates in the pale yellow scales of adult.

• 4. The insoluble-bound β-alanine rapidly increases in the late pupal stage and accumulates in the wing-membrane and body wall of adult.

• 5. The meconium contains a small amount of soluble-bound β-alanine, while the exuviae contain only a trace of β-alanine.