Gustatory responsiveness to pyrrolizidine alkaloids in the Senecio specialist, Tyria jacobaeae (Lepidoptera, Arctiidae)

Larvae of the arctiid moth Tyria jacobaeae reared on Senecio jacobaea or S. vulgaris take up and store pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs) from their host plants. Individual PAs are taken up without preference. The PA patterns found in the insect bodies correspond to the PA composition of their host plants. Like plants the insects store PAs as N-oxides, and larvae as well as pupae are specifically able to N -oxidize any tertiary PA. Callimorphine (O9-(2-methyl-2-acetoxybutanoyl)-retronecine), an insect PA well known from several arctiids, was found in pupae and imagines of Tyria which as larvae had been fed on S. jacobaea. It is accompanied by small amounts of its isomer O7-(2-methyl-2-acetoxybutanoyl)-retronecine named isocallimor-phine. The callimorphines may well account for 45% of total PAs found in the insect. Only small amounts of callimorphine were detected in pupae of Tyria which as larvae had been fed on S. vulgaris. [14C]Callimorphine N -oxide was isolated and identified from Tyria pupae which as larvae received [14C]retronecine. It is suggested that Tyria is able to esterify retronecine, derived from hydrolysis of ingested plant PAs with a necic acid produced by the insect. During metamorphosis the formation of callimorphine is restricted to the early stage of pupation.

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The Influence of Pyrrolizidine Alkaloids of Senecio Jacobaea On Tyria Jacobaeae, Brachycaudus Cardii and Haplothrips Senecionis

Netherlands Journal of Zoology ◽

10.1163/156854291x00162 ◽

1990 ◽

Vol 41 (2-3) ◽

pp. 228-239 ◽

Cited By ~ 15

Author(s):

Klaas Vrieling ◽

Leo L. Soldaat ◽

Wouter Smit

Keyword(s):

Pyrrolizidine Alkaloids ◽

Senecio Jacobaea ◽

Tyria Jacobaeae

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The biology of Canadian weeds.: 96. Senecio jacobaea L.

Canadian Journal of Plant Science ◽

10.4141/cjps91-014 ◽

1991 ◽

Vol 71 (1) ◽

pp. 127-140 ◽

Cited By ~ 18

Author(s):

John F. Bain

Keyword(s):

Biological Control ◽

Pyrrolizidine Alkaloids ◽

Biological Control Agent ◽

Vegetative Reproduction ◽

Control Agent ◽

Effective Control ◽

Senecio Jacobaea ◽

Eastern Canada ◽

Tyria Jacobaeae ◽

Tansy Ragwort

Senecio jacobaea L. (tansy ragwort) is a roadside and pasture weed which was introduced into Canada in the 1850s. It is established in cool, wet areas, most commonly on the east and west coasts. The species is important economically because the presence of pyrrolizidine alkaloids in the foliage makes it toxic and the poisoning of livestock has resulted. Individuals produce dimorphic achenes which possess different dormancy and dispersal characters and are therefore able to establish in a wider range of habitats. Vegetative reproduction is common especially after damage to the plant. Control of the weed is achieved either through the application of hormone-like herbicides or by biological means. The establishment of the biological control agent, cinnabar moth (Tyria jacobaeae L.), in populations has resulted in defoliation of individuals but has not resulted in effective control of the weed, except in eastern Canada. Key words: Tansy ragwort, Senecio jacobaea, biological control, pyrrolizidine alkaloids

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