The Chemical Composition of Cuticular Lipids from Dragonflies (Odonata)

Abstract

The cuticular lipids of 4 species (Aeschna grandis, A. mixta, Sympetrum sanguineum, S. danae) of the insect order Odonata (dragonflies) have been analysed. Alkanes, triglycerides, and free fatty acids predominate and minor amounts of monoester waxes have been detected. Among the hy­drocarbons unbranched odd-numbered (56 - 66%) predominate, followed by monometnyl-alkanes with the branch in the middle of molecule (11 - 19%), 3-methylalkanes (7 - 15%), and 2-me­thyl-alkanes (1 - 13%). Moreover, alkanes (1 - 12%) were detected. The composition of triglyceri­des and free fatty acids were very similar with 14 : 0, 16 : 0, 18 : 0, 16 : 1. 18 : 1 and 18 : 2 being main constituents. Ester waxes were composed of unbranched and predominantly even-numbered fatty acids and alcohols with chain lengths C 14 - C 30 . The results are discussed from a chemotaxonomic viewpoint. Similarities of the integumental lipjids from Odonata and Plecoptera were found.