Dussourd D E, Ubik K, Harvis C, Resch J, Meinwald J, Eisner T
Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853.
Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 1988 Aug;85(16):5992-6. doi: 10.1073/pnas.85.16.5992.
The eggs of Utetheisa ornatrix contain pyrrolizidine alkaloids. These compounds are contributed by both parents, who sequester them as larvae from their food plants. Females receive alkaloid from the males at mating, apparently by seminal infusion, and transmit this alkaloid together with alkaloid of their own to the eggs. Field and laboratory tests showed that the alkaloids protect eggs from predators. The alkaloidal contribution of the male, although smaller than that of the female, itself provides significant egg protection. A previously identified pheromone, derived by the male from the alkaloid and emitted during precopulatory behavior, may announce the male alkaloidal worth to the female.
华丽乌苔蛾的卵含有吡咯里西啶生物碱。这些化合物由双亲提供，它们在幼虫期从食物植物中摄取并储存这些物质。雌性在交配时从雄性那里获得生物碱，显然是通过精液注入，然后将这种生物碱与自身的生物碱一起传递给卵。野外和实验室测试表明，这些生物碱可保护卵免受捕食者侵害。雄性提供的生物碱虽然比雌性的少，但本身也能为卵提供显著的保护。一种先前鉴定出的信息素，由雄性从生物碱中提取并在交配前行为中释放，可能会向雌性宣告雄性生物碱的价值。
