CHEMICAL DEFENSE OF EMPEROR MOTHS AND TUSSOCK MOTHS (LEPIDOPTERA, SATURNIIDAE, LYMANTRIIDAE)

A survey is given on the chemical ecology of Saturniidae and Lymantrii dae. Caterpillars of the 2 families have exocrine glands and glandular hairs with divergent morphological specializations. The secretions de livered as well as the larval hemolymph mostly contain aromatic and N- containing compounds but with distinct differences in the compound pat terns of the body fluids. Striking similarities between the chemistry of the 2 families and the hemolymph of larval Notodontidae may point a t a basic, common secondary metabolism of moths. Obviously, most of th ese secondary compounds are synthesized de novo from precursors acquir ed from the foodplants of the caterpillars. Biological tests suggest t hat the main function of the compounds in the 2 families and in notodo ntid hemolymph might be defence from pathogenic microorganisms, parasi toids, and predators. Transfer of larval defensive compounds through t he developmental cycle seems to take place to only a very limited exte nt.