INFRASPECIFIC VARIATION OF INSECTICIDAL SESQUITERPENE DIALDEHYDES IN PSEUDOWINTERA-COLORATA

HPLC and NMR methods are described for determining the levels of the s esquiterpene dialdehydes polygodial and 9-deoxymuzigadial in the folia ge of Pseudowintera colorata. Analyses of 25 individual plants, from f our populations on the South Island of New Zealand, showed two chemoty pe: a mixed chemotype with similar levels of polygodial and 9-deoxymuz igadial, and a polygodial chemotype with very low levers of 9-deoxymuz igadial. Only the polygodial chemotype was found in northern and south western populations, both chemotypes were found in a central eastern p opulation, and only the mixed chemotype was found in a southeastern po pulation. Copyright (C) 1996 Elsevier Science Ltd