Chemoecology (2013) 23, 203-212

Florine L.G. Leuthardt, Gaetan Glauser and Bruno Baur (2013)
Composition of alkaloids in different box tree varieties and their uptake by the box tree moth Cydalima perspectalis
Chemoecology 23 (4), 203-212
Abstract: Larvae of the moth Cydalima perspectalis are specialized on box trees (Buxus spp.). Native to eastern Asia, the moth has been introduced to Europe in 2007 and is nowadays causing severe damage to box trees in private and public gardens, as well as in semi-natural box tree forests. Box trees contain highly toxic triterpenoid alkaloids which may be sequestered by specialized herbivores such as C. perspectalis. We determined the alkaloid composition in leaves of the five most common box tree varieties in Europe belonging to two Buxus species using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) metabolite profiling. We also examined whether larvae and moths of C. perspectalis accumulate alkaloids from the different box tree varieties. The differences in alkaloid composition observed between the box tree species Buxus sempervirens and Buxus microphylla were mirrored in the tissue of C. perspectalis larvae fed on either of the different box tree species, indicating uptake of alkaloids. The larvae stored large amounts of dibasic alkaloids in their body, while monobasic alkaloids were metabolized and/or excreted. Newly emerged adult moths contained no traces of alkaloids.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)
Link to article at publishers website
Database assignments for author(s): Florine L.G. Leuthardt

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
general biology - morphology - evolution

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Cydalima perspectalis	Buxus (crop)	Germany
	Cydalima perspectalis	Buxus (crop)	Switzerland