Two selected examples of PIXE microanalysis in ecophysiology are presented. Studies of heavy metal distributions in mycorrhizal and non-mycorrhizal roots of Plantago lanceolata showed different filtration mechanisms of Zn/Pb and Fe/Mn, both enabling plants to cope with metals present in the environment. Studies of the mechanism used by the beetle Chrysolina pardalina to eliminate excessive amounts of Ni revealed that Malpighian tubules are responsible for the elimination of this metal from the hemolymph.In both examples GeoPIXE software was used for true elemental mapping using the Dynamic Analysis method and analysis of spectra from selected micro-areas. Specimen thickness and matrix composition were obtained from proton backscattering spectra.

The aim of this study was to determine elemental composition of sap-feeding insects inhabiting various parts of the Ni hyperaccumulating plant Berkheya coddii Roessl., the endemic species of ultramafic outcrops in Mpumalanga, South Africa. Three species were examined: the aphid Protaphis pseudocardui (Aphididae), abundant on young leaves; the mealybug Orthesia sp. (Ortheziidae) colonizing underground parts of this plant, and the bug Norialsus berkheyae (Cixiidae) living on young shoots. Maps of Ni, K, Ca, Zn, and Fe for selected body areas of these species were generated using Dynamic Analysis method on the basis of particle-induced X-ray emission (micro-PIXE) and proton backscattering (BS) measurements. Atomic absorption spectrometry was used to determine Ni, Zn, Cu, Fe contents in the B. coddii organs, in some sapfeeding insect species including these mentioned above, and in the assassin bug hunting on Chrysolina pardalina, a monophagous beetle of B. coddii. Bioaccumulation factor for Ni in the examined species was below 0.05, and much higher for other metals (Zn ‡ 2; Fe £ 5). Ni distribution within body was species-dependent. It was the highest in the antennae of P. pseudocardui, in the head of Orthesia sp. and in the metathorax of N. berkheyae. Distribution patterns of other metals were different among examined species. Ca was recorded mainly in peripheral parts of the body in all species. Zn showed similar distribution to Ni. Fe distribution was similar to Ni only in the mealybugs. Uneven concentrations of metals within selected body regions indicated their relations with specific organs. Analysis of Ni transfer to higher trophic levels was done on the basis of two food nets: B. coddii-C. pardalina-Rhinocoris neavii and B. coddii-P. pseudocardui-Polyrhachis ant and led to the conclusion that the role of sap-feeding insects in Ni transfer was marginal.

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Parnassius apollo (Lepidoptera, Papilionidae) declines on numerous localities all over Europe. Its local subspecies frankenbergeri, inhabiting the Pieniny Mts (southern Poland) and successfully recovered from extinction, is monophagous in larval stage. In natural conditions, it completes development on the orpine Sedum telephium ssp. maximum. Since proper quality and quantity of necessary nutritional compounds of the food plant ensure developmental success, the digestive processes in the insect midgut should reflect adaptation to a specific food source. The paper presents, for the first time, the activity of detected glycolytic enzymes in midgut tissue and liquid gut contents of the L 4 and L 5 instars of P. apollo larvae. α-Amylase plays the main role in utilization of carbohydrates, contrary to cellulase activity. Saccharase seems to be the main disaccharidase, and high activity of β-glycosidase enables hydrolysis of the plant glycosides. Trehalase activity was unexpectedly low and comparable to those of cellobiase and lactase. α-Amylolytic and other glycolytic activities indicate that larvae utilize starch and other carbohydrate compounds as energy sources. Possible use of some plant allelochemicals as energy sources by Apollo larvae is discussed.