NONPROTEIN AMINO-ACIDS OF LATHYRUS-LATIFOLIUS AS FEEDING DETERRENTS AND PHAGOSTIMULANTS IN SPODOPTERA-LITTORALIS

alpha,gamma-Diaminobutyric acid (DAB), gamma-N-oxalyl-alpha,gamma-diam inobutyric acid (gamma-ODAB), beta-N-oxalyl-alpha,beta-diaminopropioni c acid (beta-ODAP), homoserine (HS) and O-oxalylhomoserine (OHS) were isolated from the aerial parts of Lathyrus latifolius and their concen trations in the leaves, shoots and roots determined. Feeding experimen ts using larvae of Spodoptera littoralis indicated that gamma-ODAB and OHS were antifeedants while beta-ODAP and HS were phagostimulants ove r the concentration range used. DAB was a phagostimulant at low concen trations, but an antifeedant at higher concentrations. Copyright (C) 1 996 Elsevier Science Ltd