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Toxicities of host secondary compounds to eggs of theBrassica specialistDasineura brassicae

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Abstract

The toxicities of selected host secondary plant substances to eggs of theBrassica specialistDasineura brassicae were estimated in a laboratory test. Isothiocyanates (ITCs) and 1-cyano-2-phenylethane, autolysis products of glucosinolates, were more toxic than a “green leaf alcohol,”cis-3-hexen-1-ol, found in numerous plant families. The most toxic compound, 2-phenylethyl ITC, occurs in all investigatedBrassica hosts ofD. brassicae. However, the less suitableBrassica hosts additionally release comparatively large amounts of allyl ITC. This suggests that even a crucifer specialist may be restricted in its use of particular hosts due to their compositions and concentrations of glucosinolate compounds.

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Diptera: Cecidomyiidae.

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Åhman, I. Toxicities of host secondary compounds to eggs of theBrassica specialistDasineura brassicae . J Chem Ecol 12, 1481–1488 (1986). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01012366

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