Characterization of the cuticular lipids of the larvae and adults of the pecan weevil, Curculio caryae

Abstract

Cuticular lipids were isolated and identified from larvae, adult females and adult males of the pecan weevil, Curculio caryae. The surface lipids of the larvae were dominated by triacylglycerols (49%) and hydrocarbons (41%) with glycerol trihexanoate and 2-methyloctacosane the most prevalent components in these two classes of compounds. Methyl-branched hydrocarbons dominated the surface lipids of the adult weevils with the most abundant being 9-, 11-, 13- and 15-methylnonacosane and 9,13- and 11,15-dimethylnonacosane. Methylketones (2-nonadecanone, 2-heneicosanone, and 2-tricosanone) comprised 1% and 3%, respectively, of the adult male and female cuticular lipids. These methylketones and glycerol trihexanoate have not previously been found in insect cuticular lipids.