Sequestration of Furostanol Saponins by Monophadnus Sawfly Larvae

Abstract

Sawfly larvae of the tribe Phymatocerini (Hymenoptera: Tenthredinidae), which are specialized on toxic plants in the orders Liliales and Ranunculales, exude a droplet of deterrent hemolymph upon attack by a predator. We investigated whether secondary plant metabolites from Ranunculaceae leaves are sequestered by phymatocerine Monophadnus species, i.e., Monophadnus alpicola feeding upon Pulsatilla alpina and Monophadnus monticola feeding upon Ranunculus lanuginosus. Moreover, two undescribed Monophadnus species were studied: species A collected from Helleborusfoetidus and species B collected from Helleborus viridis. Comparative high-performance liquid chromatographicphotodiode array detection-electrospray ionization-mass spectrometric analyses of plant leaf and insect hemolymph extracts revealed the presence of furostanol saponins in all samples. Larvae of species A and B actively sequestered (25R)-26-[(alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl) oxy]-22alpha-methoxyfurost-5-en-3beta-yl O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-->3)-O-[6-acetyl-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-->3)]-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (compound 1). This compound occurred at a 65- to 200-fold higher concentration in the hemolymph of the two species (1.6 and 17.5 micromol/g FW, respectively) than in their host plant (0.008 and 0.268 micromol/g FW, respectively). In M. monticola, compound 1 was found at a concentration (1.2 micromol/g FW) similar to that in the host plant (1.36 micromol/g FW). The compound could not be detected consistently in M. alpicola larvae where, however, a related saponin may be present. Additional furostanol saponins were found in H. foetidus and H. viridis, but not in the two Monophadnus species feeding on them, indicating that sequestration of compound 1 is a highly specific process. In laboratory bioassays, crude hemolymph of three Monophadnus species showed a significant feeding deterrent activity against a potential predator, Myrmica rubra ant workers. Isolated furostanol saponins were also active against the ants, at a concentration range similar to that found in the hemolymph. Thus, these compounds seem to play a major role for chemical defense of Monophadnus larvae, although other plant secondary metabolites (glycosylated ecdysteroids) were also detected in their hemolymph. Physiological and ecological implications of the sequestered furostanol saponins are discussed.

Plant chemistry and insect sequestration

“…Two Monophadnus species contained a furostanol saponin in their haemolymph in concentrations up to 200 times higher than in the corresponding host plants. Therefore, a selective and active transport of the saponin was proposed (Prieto et al 2007). In contrast, in M. monticola the concentration of the furostanol in the haemolymph resembled that of the host plant.…”

“…The haemolymph of the Monophadnus spp. was shown to be highly deterrent to ants, which is mainly due to the presence of the furostanol saponins (Prieto et al 2007). …”

Bioactive Natural Products from Sapindaceae Deterrent and Toxic Metabolites Against Insects

“…They are widely distributed secondary plant metabolites, found among almost 100 plant families (Bruneton 1995). Being effective defences for some insects (Plasman et al 2001;Prieto et al 2007), saponins have been implied in mechanisms of plant resistance against potential herbivores (Nielsen et al 2010). The genus Sapindus, rich in this kind of compounds, may therefore be promissory raw material to develop plant pest control products.…”

Natural compounds with important medical potential found in Helleborus sp.

“…larvae at a more than 200 fold higher concentration compared to plant cells. It seems likely that this compound is involved in the chemical defence of Monophadnus larvae against potential insect predators [24].…”