The composition and metabolism of fatty acids in Ips paraconfusus Lanier (Coleoptera: Scolytidae)

Abstract

The fatty acid composition of newly emerged Ips paraconfusus Lanier shows no sexual dimorphism and is approximately as follows: C14:0, 0.5%; C16:0, 23.0%; C16:1, 6%; C18:0, 3%; C18:1, 55%; C18:2, 9%; C18:3, 2%. Both sexes, but particularly the female, use up fatty acids, particularly the monounsaturated acids, during reproduction. Isotope from 1-14C-acetate injected into newly emerged females appeared in all saturated and monounsaturated fatty acids within 30 min. There was evidence of de novo synthesis of C14:0 and C16:0, chain elongation of C16:0 to C18:0, and desaturation of C16:0 and C18:0 to yield C16:1 and C18:1 respectively.