Open AccessTHE BUPRESTINS: BITTER PRINCIPLES OF JEWEL BEETLES (COLEOPTERA: BUPRESTIDAE)
Author(s) -
Moore B. P.,
Brown W. V.
Publication year - 1985
Publication title -
australian journal of entomology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1440-6055
pISSN - 1326-6756
DOI - 10.1111/j.1440-6055.1985.tb00191.x
Subject(s) - buprestidae , biology , mimicry , botany , sugar , zoology , food science
The occurrence of a series of bitter principles is reported from a wide range of buprestid beetles. These substances, which are named buprestins, are β ‐D‐glucose‐1,2,6‐triesters in which the main esterifying moiety is pyrrole‐2‐carboxylic acid. Sugar solutions, when mixed with the most abundant buprestin A, became unpalatable to meat ants ( Iridomyrmex purpureus Smith). The buprestins are considered to be repellents that have been evolved exclusively in Buprestidae and their bearing on biology and mimicry in these beetles is discussed.