Biliverdin IX γ in beetles (dytiscidae: laccophilinae)

Abstract

1. 1. A bile pigment has been isolated from the green adults of the water beetle Laccophilus minutus and shown: to be biliverdin IX γ. Its identification is is based on co-chromatography with the four authentic biliverdin isomers, electronic spectra, mass spectra and chemical degradation. 2. 2. This is the first report on a bile pigment from a beetle and the first identification of biliverdin IX γ outside the lepidopteran order. 3. 3. Some of the carotenoids have been tentatively identified; astaxanthin diester represents the principal one. 4. 4. The distribution of bile pigments in insects and the chemotaxonomy of water beetles are discussed.