Comparison of the dietary and tissue sterols of the greater wax moth, Galleria mellonella (L)

Abstract

The neutral sterols of the greater wax moth Galleria mellonella were determined and compared to the sterols isolated from the used brood comb upon which the insects were reared. Analysis by gas-liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry revealed that used brood comb contained primarily 28- and 29- carbon sterols, with cholesterol accounting for less than 1% of the total sterols detected. This differed considerably from the insect, where cholesterol comprised over 85% of the tissue sterols. These results indicate the wax moth is able to convert dietary 24-alkylsterols to cholesterol. The potential for using inhibitors of sterol metabolism to control G mellonella is discussed.