PHARMACOPHAGY on Lepidoptera (1984-1991)
Chemical Ecology
From 12/1984 to 12/1991Research in the olfactory localisation of Pyrrolizidin alkaloids in pharmacophagous butterflies and moths showed an high importance in the life of certain species, either as an (aquired) basic of the chemical defense against predators or as an (aquired) precursor for the biosyntesis of the male pheromons. On the one hand, these alkaloids provide a low olfactory stimulus, on the other hand those substances are excellent olfactory baits for a series of Lepidoptera. For an distal olfactory localisation of those alkaloides their spontaneous reaction-product was also proven as an “indicator-molecule” (concretely as Hydroxydanaidal). This substance was contained and identified by using the antennal receptores of the test animals as indicators with techniques of the electrophysiology (EAG and single branches) and simple chemistry.
List of publications of this Project
| Bogner, FX; Grant, AJ; O'Connell, R: A Potential Kairomone Signal Stimulates Pheromone-Responsive Neurons in Utetheisa ornatrix (Lepidoptera: Arctiidae)., Journal of Chemical Ecology, 18, 427-439 (1992) -- Details |
| Bogner, FX; Boppré, M: Single cell recordings reveal hydroxydanaidal as the volatile compound attracting insects to pyrrolizidine alkaloids., Entomologia Experimentalis et Applicata, 50, 171-184 (1989) -- Details |