Studies on the biochemistry of insects V. Oligoelements in some lepidoptera

Abstract

The oligoelements are determined on the larves of Pieris brassicae, Ocnogyna baetica, Euproctis chrysorrhoea, Lyinantria nwnacha and Lyinantria dispar, chrysalida of Euproctis chrysorrhoea, and also on the leaf of the pine and on the leaf of eabbage on which the Lyinantria monacha and the Pieris brassicae feed themselves respectively, finding that Zn is the predominating oligoelements on the five lepidoptera species studied, being the valúes very high on the larves and chrysalis of E. chrysorrhoea and on the larves of O. baetica. Ag is detected on all species on the limit of sensibility except on the larves of Pieris brassicae on which it appears in high quantity. On this larva Co, Cr, Li, Ni and V are not detected, not appearing either in the leaf of the cabbage, except the last one which is contained in the leaves. Besides this and that the quantity of Ag is scarce, the variations between leaf and insect reffering to quantities of oligoelements, per unit of ashes, are not very marked. The values for Cu and Mn are allmost identical on the five species studied as we1l as on the leaves. Co is only detected on the larvas of E. chrysorrhoea; V only on the Lyinantria dispar; Cr only on the L. monacha and on the chrysalida of Euproctis. Fe is more scarce on the Pieris and Ocnogyna, being on the other specimens in similar quantities. Li is detected only on the two Lymantrias and on the chrysalis of Euproctis. Mo does not appear on the Ocnogyna larva nor on the Lyinantria dispar and on all the other specimens it appears in scarce quantities. Ni predominates on the two Lyinantria and is not detected on the Pieris, on the Ocnogyna nor on the cabbage leaf. Pb appears on all the specimens in values not very different. Si predominates on the two Lymantrias and the smaller value corresponds to the chrysalis of the Euproctis. Ti is not detected on the Ocnogyna larva, nor on larva and chrysalis of Euproctis. On the other specimens the values found are low and equal.