Interconversion between glycogen and inositol in hibernating adults of a phytophagous ladybeetle, Epilachna vigintioctomaculata

Abstract

The accumulation of inositol in hibernating adults of a phytophagous ladybeetle, Epilachna vigintioctomaculata, was demonstrated by a gas-chromatography and mass-spectrometry system. Inositol began to increase at the beginning of hibernation in early October and attained its maximum level of about 30 mg/g of body weight in January. It was also demonstrated that the source of inositol accumulated during hibernation is stored glycogen, and that interconversion between inositol and glycogen took place at the beginning and the end of hibernation.