Studies on insect biochemistry. XII. Trace elements in the metamorphosis of Chrysomia albiceps

Abstract

A study is made of the bioelements which appear in the three phases of the metamorphosis of the diptera Chrysomia albiceps, as also in the pupal cuticles, utilizing a semiquantitative spectrographic method, with bow arch excitation and continuous current of 110-120 V and 4 to 5 A.

The order of concentration of the bioelements in the samples is the following:

Larvae: P = Na > K > Ca > Al > Fe > Mg > Li > Zn > Mn = Cu > Ti > B > Si = Cr. Lacking Ba, Ni, Sr.

Pupae: P = Na > K > Mg > Ca = Fe > Al > Si > Mn = = Zn > Ti > Li = Cu > B > Cr. Not found Ba, Ni and Sr.

Flies: P = Na = Mg > Ca = K > Si > Fe > Al > Sr > > Mn > Cu = Ba = Ni > Ti = Cr > B. Lacking Li, Zn.

Cutioles: P = Na = Mg > Ca > K > Al = Fe > Si = Ba > > Sr > Mn > Cu = Ti = Li > B > Cr. Lacking Ni, Zn.

On comparing these results with those previously obtained for another diptera, Calliphora eritrocephala, we observe among other things that the concentration of iron is greater in Chrysomia than in Calliphora, while the contrary generally occurs with the other oligoelements of the group of biocatalysts of red-ox processes: cobalt, copper, manganese, molybdenum, nickel, titanium and zinc.