Androconial Organs Research Articles

Volatile compounds from androconial organs of danaine and ithomiine butterflies

Pyrrolizidine alkaloid derivatives are present in the androconial (male scent) organs of Prittwitzia hymenaea, Mechanitis isthmia veritabilis, Tithorea harmónia fúria (Lep., Ithomiinae), Amauris echeria and Euploea sylvester (Lep., Danainae). While the ithomiines contain the new pyrrolizidine alkaloid derivative methyl hydroxydanaidoate, the danaines contain the known derivatives danaidone and hydroxydanaidal. In addition, 2,2,6-trimethyl-2-cyclohexen-1,4-dione (oxoisophorone) and related terpenoids have been identified from Amauris, Euploea and Prittwitzia as well as from the flowers of Buddleja davidii (Loganiaceae). Three new naturally occurring bishomoterpenes as well as mono- and sesquiterpenes and aromatic compounds add to the formation of species specific blends in the scent organs of the butterflies

Insects pharmacophagously utilizing defensive plant chemicals (Pyrrolizidine alkaloids)

Insects of several orders (mainly Lepidoptera) gather alkaloids independent of feeding behaviour. By storing these secondary plant metabolites, the insects gain protection from predators, and in various species the plant chemicals are used as precursors for the biosynthesis of male pheromones; in Creatonotos they even regulate specifically the development of the androconial organs. The variety of aspects involved in this link between chemical defence and sexual communication, as well as its consequences, are discussed.