Neutral sterols of sawflies (Symphyta): their relationship to other Hymenoptera.
To investigate sterol utilization in sawflies, the neutral sterols of four species of sawflies were determined by gas-liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry, and compared to the respective dietary plant material. Cholesterol was the predominant (55-76%) sterol in all species and stages of sawflies examined. Host plants, however, contained primarily sitosterol (50-88%), along with other 24-alkylsterols and only 0.5-5.9% cholesterol, indicating that the sawflies examined are capable of dealkylating the C28 and C29 phytosterols in their diet to cholesterol. Comparative sterol metabolism in Hymenoptera is discussed.
Schiff
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NM
Bee Research Laboratory, ARS, USDA, Beltsville, Maryland 20705, USA.
Feldlaufer
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MF
D000818:Animals; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000032:analysis; D002849:Chromatography, Gas; D004032:Diet; D008401:Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry; D006927:Hymenoptera / Q000378:metabolism*; D010944:Plants; D013045:Species Specificity; D013261:Sterols / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism*; D014197:Trees
D013261:Sterols; D002784:Cholesterol