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First published online November 10, 2003

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The Journal of Experimental Biology 206, 4487-4496 (2003)
doi: 10.1242/jeb.00705

Loss of gustatory responses to pyrrolizidine alkaloids after their extensive ingestion in the polyphagous caterpillar Estigmene acrea

E. A. Bernays^1,*, D. Rodrigues², R. F. Chapman^3,, M. S. Singer¹ and T. Hartmann⁴

¹ Department of Entomology, University of Arizona, PO Box 210088, Tucson, AZ 85721-0088, USA
² Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, IB, PPG, Biologia Animal, Departamento de Zoologia, Avenida Bento Gonçalves, 9.500, Bloco IV, Prédio 43435, Bairro Agronomia, CEP 91.501-970, Porto Alegre – RS, Brazil
³ Division of Neurobiology, University of Arizona, PO Box 210077, Tucson, AZ 85721-0077, USA
⁴ Institut für Pharmazeutische Biologie der Technischen Universität, Mendelssohnstrasse 1, D-38106, Braunschweig, Germany

^* Author for correspondence (e-mail: bernays{at}comcast.net)

Accepted 4 September 2003

Electrophysiological recordings from taste sensilla of the caterpillar Estigmene acrea with the pyrrolizidine alkaloid (PA) seneciphylline N-oxide demonstrated that extensive feeding on plants rich in PAs caused a loss in response of the PA-sensitive cell in the lateral styloconic sensillum on the galea. The effect could be repeated using pure PAs fed to the insect in synthetic diets and by injection of PA into the hemolymph. The sensitivity loss lasted for approximately two hours and was less pronounced in individuals that had been reared on PA-containing food. Behavioral experiments and field observations demonstrate a parallel reduction in responsiveness to PAs and to PA-containing plants.

Key words: neural sensitivity, pyrrolizidine alkaloid, taste threshold, effect of experience, Estigmene acrea, caterpillar

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