24‐Epi‐makisterone a (not makisterone A) is the major ecdysteroid in the leaf‐cutting ant <i>Acromyrmex octospinosus</i> (reich) (hymenoptera, formicidae: Attini)

Abstract

Abstract The chemical nature of the major ecdysteroid from pupae of the leaf‐cutting ant Acromyrmex octospinosus has been reinvestigated. On the basis of reversed phase high performance liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry, this compound was previously identified as makisterone A [Maurer et al., Arch Insect Biochem Physiol 16 , 1 (1991)] but a more careful examination has led to the conclusion that it is in fact 24‐epi‐makisterone A. This finding stresses the limits of criteria used for the identification of ecdysteroids and the possible need for reexamination of makisterone A identification in some other species feeding on a 24β‐methyl sterol source. © 1993 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.