A1 Journal article (refereed)
De novo Synthesis of Chemical Defenses in an Aposematic Moth (2018)


Burdfield-Steel, E., Pakkanen, H., Rojas Zuluaga, B., Galarza, J., & Mappes, J. (2018). De novo Synthesis of Chemical Defenses in an Aposematic Moth. Journal of Insect Science, 18(2), Article 28. https://doi.org/10.1093/jisesa/iey020


JYU authors or editors


Publication details

All authors or editorsBurdfield-Steel, Emily; Pakkanen, Hannu; Rojas Zuluaga, Bibiana; Galarza, Juan; Mappes, Johanna

Journal or seriesJournal of Insect Science

ISSN1536-2442

eISSN1536-2442

Publication year2018

Volume18

Issue number2

Article number28

PublisherOxford University Press

Publication countryUnited States

Publication languageEnglish

DOIhttps://doi.org/10.1093/jisesa/iey020

Research data linkhttps://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.g3h56b3

Publication open accessOpenly available

Publication channel open accessOpen Access channel

Publication is parallel published (JYX)https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/57756


Abstract

Many animals protect themselves from predation with chemicals, both self-made or sequestered from their diet. The potential drivers of the diversity of these chemicals have been long studied, but our knowledge of these chemicals and their acquisition mode is heavily based on specialist herbivores that sequester their defenses. The wood tiger moth (Arctia plantaginis, Linnaeus, 1758) is a well-studied aposematic species, but the nature of its chemical defenses has not been fully described . Here, we report the presence of two methoxypyrazines, 2-sec-butyl-3-methoxypyrazine and 2-isobutyl-3-methoxypyrazine, in the moths’ defensive secretions. By raising larvae on an artificial diet, we confirm, for the first time, that their defensive compounds are produced de novo rather than sequestered from their diet. Pyrazines are known for their defensive function in invertebrates due to their distinctive odor, inducing aversion and facilitating predator learning. While their synthesis has been suspected, it has never previously been experimentally confirmed. Our results highlight the importance of considering de novo synthesis, in addition to sequestration, when studying the defensive capabilities of insects and other invertebrates.


Keywordsdefence mechanisms (biological phenomena)secretionschemical compoundsaromatic compoundsbiosynthesisArctiidaewood tiger

Free keywordspyrazine; insect; chemical defense


Contributing organizations


Ministry reportingYes

Reporting Year2018

JUFO rating1


Last updated on 2024-08-01 at 18:41