Phospholipid patterns of two symbiote-harbouring weevils, the rice weevil, sitophilus oryzae L., and the corn weevil, sitophilus zeamais (mots.) (coleoptera: curculionidae)

Abstract

1. 1. Total lipid content and phopholipid patterns of 0–6-day-old adult Sitophilus oryzae and S. zeamais were investigated by two-dimensional thin-layer chromatography and spectrophotometry. 2. 2. S. oryzae and S. zeamais had 4·8 and 3·8 per cent total lipids respectively (fresh weight). Phospholipids were 17 per cent total lipids in S. oryzae; 26 per cent in S. zeamais. 3. 3. In both weevils, phospholipids detected were phosphatidyl ethanolamine, phosphatidyl choline, phosphatidyl serine, lyso-phosphatidyl ethanolamine, lyso-phosphatidyl choline, sphingomyelin, possibly phosphatidyl inositol and three unknowns. 4. 4. Phosphatidyl ethanolamine was the predominant phospholipid fraction: 53·7 per cent of lipid phosphorus in S. oryzae; 47·8 per cent in S. zeamais. Phosphatidyl choline and phosphatidyl serine fractions were respectively 26·2 per cent and 5·9 per cent of lipid phosphorus in S. oryzae; 26·6 per cent and 10·3 per cent in S. zeamais.