Content and composition of phosphoglycerols and neutral lipids at different developmental stages of the eggs of the codling moth, Cydia pomonella (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae)

Abstract

Phosphoglycerol, triacylglycerol, diacylglycerol, and free fatty acid content was studied in eggs of the codling moth Cydia pomonella at the white, red ring, and black head developmental stages. The composition of total phosphoglycerols and of the three classes of neutral lipids was also analyzed. The highest total lipid content was found in eggs at the white stage, the amount decreasing during development mainly as a result of a diminution in the quantity of phosphoglycerols, which account for approximately 50% of total content at all stages of egg development. The amount of triacylglycerols and free fatty acids changes significantly during development, whereas only minor changes were found in diacyglycerol levels. The total phosphoglycerol acyl composition of eggs at the white and red ring stages is similar, whereas differences are evident at the black head stage of development. Triacylglycerols and free fatty acids are enriched in saturated fatty acids in all analyzed stages. The acyl profile of diacylglycerols is different at each stage. The unsaturation index decreases in diacylglycerols and free fatty acids as a function of egg development. The results of the present paper suggest that triacylglycerols may constitute an important source of energy during the final period of egg development while phosphoglycerols may function as fuel during the beginning. Phosphoglycerols could be precursors for the triacylglycerol biosynthesis that takes place between white and red ring stages. © 2002 Wiley-Liss, Inc.