Carotenoids of the ladybird beetle, Coccinella septempunctata

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Abstract

The carotenoids of the seven-spot ladybird beetle (Coccinella septempunctata) consist largely of hydrocarbons. Phytoene, phytofluene, ζ-carotene, and its unsymmetrical isomer 7,8,11,12-tetrahydrolycopene, neurosporene, lycopene, 3,4-didehydrolycopene, 7′,8′,11′,12′-tetrahydro-γ-carotene, β-zeacarotene, γ-carotene, torulene, β-carotene, 7′,8′,11′,12′-tetrahydro-γ,Ψ-carotene, 7′,8′,-dihydro-γ,Ψ-carotene, γ,Ψ-carotene, 3′,4′-didehydro-γ,Ψ-carotene, β,γ-carotene, and γ,γ-carotene were all identified. Lutein, zeaxanthin, and a group of red carbonyl carotenoids with unusual properties were also present. This is the first report of the natural occurrence of 7′,8′,11′,12′-tetrahydro-γ,Ψ-carotene, 7′,8′-dihydro-γ,Ψ-carotene and 3′,4′-didehydro-γ,Ψ-carotene. Phytoene and the other members of the series of biosynthetic desaturation intermediates have not been found previously in beetles. Torulene and the γ-ring carotenoids are characteristic fungal pigments, some of which have been detected previously in an aphid. It is concluded that the main carotenoids of the ladybird beetle are certainly not of plant origin, but are probably microbial. They could be obtained from the aphid prey of the beetles but it is likely that they are produced within the ladybird by associated symbiotic microorganisms.

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