Cyanogenic and other glucosides in a neo-guinean bug Leptocoris isolata: Possible precursors in its host-plant (original) (raw)

Two new glucosides, 3-/]-D-glucopyranosyioxy-4-methyl-2(5H)-furanone and 4-/]-D-giucopyrenosyloxy-3-hydroxymethyl-butyronitril-2-en, were isolated from the hemolymph of adult Leptocoris isolate (Heteroptere). Besides these two compounds, the cyanogenic glucoside cardiospermin was found in whole adult bug extracts. The larvae contain the last two named compounds and a mixture of cyanolipids. Only the latter was found in the fruit of AIIophyluscobbe, the host-plant of the insect. The possible relationship between the insect glucosides and the host-plant cyanolipids as well as their biological role is discussed.