Cuticular hydrocarbons and wax esters of the ectoparasitoid Habrobracon hebetor: ontogenetic, reproductive, and nutritional effects
2003
Howard, R.W. | Baker, J.E.
Hydrocarbon and wax ester components of cuticular lipids of the braconid parasitoid Habrobracon hebetor Say reared at 25°C on larvae of a pyralid moth have been identified by GC-MS and analyzed with respect to adult age, mating status, and diet. The hydrocarbons range in carbon number from C21 to C45 and consist of a homologous series of n-alkanes, 11-, 13-, and 15-methyl alkanes, 13,17-dimethyl alkanes, and Z-5, Z-7, and Z-9-alkenes. The wax esters found in the cuticular lipid fraction are a series of homologous compounds with the acid portion being short chain, unbranched, even carbon number acids from C8 to C20 (predominately C8 to C16). The alcohol portions of the esters are secondary alcohols with carbon number from C22 to C25 (predominately C23 and C25) with the hydroxyl function located at C6, C7, C8, and C9. Gender, age, and nutritional states were significant factors for variation in several of the individual esters, but mating status did not affect wax ester composition. Ontogenetic examinations indicated that prepupal, and early pupal cuticular lipids contain only hydrocarbons. Low levels of wax esters are detectable in late stage pupae, and somewhat greater quantities of wax esters are present on newly eclosed adults. When pharate adults emerge from the cocoon, however, their cuticular lipids consist of approximately equal amounts of hydrocarbons and wax esters, and 6d post emergence from the cocoon, wax esters are the predominant lipid component.
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