Cuticular Hydrocarbons of the Colorado Beetle Leptinötarsa decemlineata say

Abstract

The cuticular hydrocarbons of the Colorado beetle Leptinötarsa decemlineata say consist of 2-methylalkanes, internally branched monomethylalkanes, dimethyl-, trimethyl- and tetramethylalkanes. The hydrocarbons differ from those of most of the other insects so far investigated. The major components were found to be the dimethyl branched alkanes, 2, 6- and/or 7, 22-dimethyl- octacosane and the tetramethylalkane, 3, 10, 16, 23-tetramethyltritriacontane. The hydrocarbons identified are members of homologous series which differ by two methylene groups. The identification of hydrocarbons was achieved by mass spectrometry and gas chromatographic determination of Kovats retention indices on two high efficiency capillary columns coated with Dexsil 300 and OV-1. © 1986, Walter de Gruyter. All rights reserved.