Metabolism of Epoxidised Withanolides by a Generalist and a Specialist Insect Species.

ABSTRACT: Major secondary metabolites of Physalis plants, epoxidized withanolides, have a potent feeding deterrent and growth inhibitory effect on most herbivorous insects. Caterpillars of the specialist moth species Heliothis (Chloridea) subflexa consume only Physalis fruits, whereas the closely related generalist Heliothis (Chloridea) virescens feeds on 14 different plant families, but not Physalis. The two species have different physiological responses to dietary withanolides, so it is wondered whether they metabolize withanolides differently. The Physalis peruviana plants are grown in a [¹³C]CO₂-supplied atmosphere, 4β-hydroxywithanolide E is isolated and purified from the leaves, and the compound is fed to the caterpillars. Subsequent high-performance liquid chromatography

SUBMITTER: Sell MP 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12680557 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature