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Methyl Linolenate as an Essential Nutrient for the Cabbage Looper, Trichoplusia ni (Hübner)

Abstract

A DIETARY requirement for polyunsaturated fatty acids has been demonstrated in several lepidopterous and orthopterous species. The most common expression of fatty acid deficiency was a slower larval growth-rate or faulty adult emergence with resulting wing deformity, or both1–5. In the lepidopterous species examined the requirement was fulfilled with either linoleic or linolenic acids2,3,5. In the genus Ephestia, the flour moths, linoleic or linolenic acids promoted larval growth and normal wing development3. Arachidonic acid improved the growth-rate of Ephestia, but had no positive effect on wing development6. Linoleic acid allowed normal wing development of the pink boll-worm, Pectinophora gossypiella (Saund.), but, because lower levels were active, linolenic acid was considered more effective5. Normal wing development of the greater wax moth, Galleria mellonella (L.), was promoted with linoleic or linolenic acids, but not with arachidonic acid2.

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CHIPPENDALE, G., BECK, S. & STRONG, F. Methyl Linolenate as an Essential Nutrient for the Cabbage Looper, Trichoplusia ni (Hübner). Nature 204, 710–711 (1964). https://doi.org/10.1038/204710b0

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