Chemical basis for differential acceptance of two sympatric
rutaceous plants by ovipositing females of a swallowtail
butterfly, Papilio polytes (Lepidoptera, Papilionidae) |
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Authors: | T Nakayama K Honda |
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Institution: | (1) Division of Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Integrated Arts and Sciences Hiroshima University, 739-8521 Higashihiroshima, Japan |
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Abstract: | Summary. In the natural habitat of Papilio polytes, a
Rutaceae feeder utilizing Toddalia asiatica as a major host plant, some other rutaceous plants such as
Murraya paniculata
(abundant) and Glycosmis citrifolia (relatively rare)
occur sympatrically as potential hosts. Whereas
G. citrifolia
is occasionally infested in the field, M. paniculata
remains entirely unexploited by the butterfly. We thus examined the
phytochemical mechanisms that can explain the differential
acceptance of the two plants by ovipositing females of
P. polytes. The foliage of
G. citrifolia was found to readily
induce oviposition and females deposited eggs in response
to a methanolic extract of the plant. Stimulatory activity-directed
fractionation of the extract revealed the presence of
two characteristic compounds, trans-4-hydroxy-N-methylproline
and 2-C-methylerythronic acid, known to serve as
oviposition stimulants for the butterfly. In addition, larvae
performed as well or better onG. citrifolia
as on T. asiatica.
Similar examination of the inhibitory chemical constituents
of M. paniculata led to the isolation of an oviposition deterrent. The compound, identified as trigonelline
(N-methylpyridine-
3-carboxylic acid), exhibited moderate
oviposition deterrency to females. These results combined
with our previous data are in agreement with the observed
differential utilization of the two plants by
P. polytes in the field. |
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Keywords: | Host selection oviposition stimulant oviposition deterrent Rutaceae trigonelline Lepidoptera Papilionidae Papilio |
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