Comparative metabolism of the phototoxic allelochemical α-terthienyl in three species of lepidopterans

The comparative metabolism of α-terthienyl (2,2′:5′,2″-terthienyl), a secondary metabolite found in several tribes of the plant family Asteraceae, was investigated in three species of economically important lepidopterous larvae. The in vivo study involved feeding α-[3H]T to fifth instar larvae and monitoring the ratio of α-T:metabolite in the body and feces at 24 and 72 hr following administration. Analysis of the body (minus gut contents) of …