Abstract
The larvae of a rare noctuid moth, Lasionycta wyatti, were found to be associated with the stems and roots of Ambrosia chamissonis, a species found along sandy beaches in western North America. High-performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) analyses of L. wyatti larvae and their frass revealed significant amounts of thiarubrines, secondary compounds characteristic of this host plant. Artificial diet studies showed that thiarubrines were well tolerated by these larvae. These same diets, however, were toxic to larvae of Manduca sexta and inhibited larval growth of Spodoptera litura. Even in the presence of simulated sunlight, artificial diets containing thiarubrines did not affect larvae of L. wyatti. However, dietary incorporation of thiophenes, natural UV-activated breakdown products of thiarubrines, was deleterious to larvae of L. wyatti.
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Dojillo-Mooney, J., Page, J.E., Isman, M.B. et al. Tolerance to Thiarubrines from Ambrosia chamissonis by the Rare Moth Lasionycta wyatti . J Chem Ecol 25, 1369–1382 (1999). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1020982927255
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1020982927255