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Calcium Tartrate Crystals in the Midgut of the Grape Leafhopper

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Abstract

Calcium tartrate crystals were observed in the midgut of grape leafhoppers. This unique compound was found for the first time in insects. The size of the crystals varied strongly between and within individuals with a mean length of 153 ± 87 μm and a mean width of 71 ± 46 μm. In addition, the number of crystals per individual showed a broad variation and ranged from 1 to 150 crystals/individual. The occurrence of calcium tartrate crystals as well as the number of crystals per individual followed the same seasonal pattern as seasonal vine leaf concentrations of tartaric acid found in a previous study, indicating that calcium tartrate is formed to neutralize the tartaric acid in the gut system. It further implies that the grape leafhopper, rather than being a pure phloem sucker, employs a mixed feeding strategy to satisfy its demands for calcium uptake.

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Acknowledgments

We thank Michael Kraus for evaluating the HPLC-MS data and Mareike Niethammer for measuring the size of the crystals. We also thank two anonymous referees for constructive comments on the manuscript. This work was in part supported by the Bavarian Ministry for Agriculture and Forestry (grant A/02/08).

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Author notes

  1. T. Schmitt

    Present address: Institute of Biology I, University of Freiburg, Hauptstr. 1, D-79104, Fribourg, Germany

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Bavarian State Institute for Viticulture and Horticulture, Herrnstrasse 8, D-97209, Veitshöchheim, Germany

    S. Böll, P. Schwappach & J. V. Herrmann

  2. Theodor-Boveri-Institut für Biowissenschaften, Zoologie III, Biozentrum, Am Hubland, D-97074, Würzburg, Germany

    T. Schmitt

  3. Institut für Anorganische Chemie, Am Hubland, D-97074, Würzburg, Germany

    C. Burschka

  4. Lehrstuhl für Lebensmittelchemie, Am Hubland, D-97074, Würzburg, Germany

    T. Schmitt & P. Schreier

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  1. S. Böll
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Correspondence to S. Böll.

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Böll, S., Schmitt, T., Burschka, C. et al. Calcium Tartrate Crystals in the Midgut of the Grape Leafhopper. J Chem Ecol 31, 2847–2856 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10886-005-8398-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10886-005-8398-8

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