L-dopa in legume seeds: a chemical barrier to insect attack.
Seeds of the genus Mucuna display both a remarkable immunity to attack by seed-eating insects and an unustially high concentration of free L-dopa. When seed powders or pure L-dopa were incorporated into artificial diets and fed to southern armyworm larvae, mortality increased, and abnormal pupae and adults resulted. At higher concentrations L-dopa acted as a feeding repellent.
Rehr
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Janzen
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Feeny
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