Abstract
Fatty acids 10–20 carbons in chain-length were found by GLC analysis of 6th instar larvae, pharate pupae, pupae, and moths a day after emergence of the bollworm, Heliothis zea. The two largest acids in all stages examined were 16:0 and 18:1. Saturated and mono-unsaturated acids incorporated radioactivity in insects injected with 14C-1-acetate. The principal acids that were synthesized had 16- and 18-carbon chains. Preparative GLC and analysis of various hydrogenated mixtures of fatty acids showed conclusively that poly-unsaturated 18-carbon acids are not synthesized by this insect. Radioactivity associated with 18:2 comes from tailing of 18:1, whereas that found with 18:3 comes from the synthesis of 20:0 which co-chromatographs with 18:3. Data reported in this paper and by other investigators suggest that Heliothis adults selectively utilize 16:0 fatty acid and conserve 18:1 and polyunsaturated acids. The data are evaluated, discussed, and compared with other observations.
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