Gut redox conditions in herbivorous lepidopteran larvae

Large interspecific differences in redox potential exist among herbivorous lepidopteran larvae. Reducing conditions occur in the midguts of Manduca sexta (Sphingidae) and Polia latex (Noctuidae), whereas oxidizing conditions prevail in the midguts of Lymantria dispar (Lymantriidae), Danaus plexippus...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of chemical ecology 1990-12, Vol.16 (12), p.3277-3290
Main Authors: Appel, H.M. (Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA), Martin, M.M
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Biochemistry. Physiology. Immunology
Biological and medical sciences
DANAUS PLEXIPPUS
DIGESTION
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
Insecta
INTESTIN
INTESTINOS
Invertebrates
LYMANTRIA DISPAR
MANDUCA SEXTA
NOCTUIDAE
OXIRREDUCION
OXYDOREDUCTION
PAPILIO
Physiology. Development
POTENCIAL REDOX
POTENTIEL REDOX
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Summary:Large interspecific differences in redox potential exist among herbivorous lepidopteran larvae. Reducing conditions occur in the midguts of Manduca sexta (Sphingidae) and Polia latex (Noctuidae), whereas oxidizing conditions prevail in the midguts of Lymantria dispar (Lymantriidae), Danaus plexippus (Danaidae), and Papilio glaucus (Papilionidae). The epithelium of the posterior midgut of M. sexta fed a diet containing bismuth subnitrate accumulates bismuth sulfide, suggesting that sulfide might be one of the reducing agents responsible for the maintenance of reducing conditions in this species. We propose that the effects of plant allelochemicals in insect herbivores will be strongly affected by gut redox conditions and that the regulation of gut redox conditions is an important adaptation of insect herbivores to the chemical defenses of plants. The redox state of the gut is yet another insect trait that must be included in the analysis of plant-insect interactions
ISSN:0098-0331
1573-1561
DOI:10.1007/bf00982098