Logo image
Lucibufagins: Defensive steroids from the fireflies Photinus ignitus and P. marginellus (Coleoptera: Lampyridae)
Journal article   Open access   Peer reviewed

Lucibufagins: Defensive steroids from the fireflies Photinus ignitus and P. marginellus (Coleoptera: Lampyridae)

Thomas Eisner, David F Wiemer, LeRoy W Haynes and Jerrold Meinwald
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences - PNAS, Vol.75(2), pp.905-908
02/1978
DOI: 10.1073/pnas.75.2.905
PMCID: PMC411366
PMID: 16592501
url
https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.75.2.905View
Published (Version of record) Open Access

Abstract

Feeding tests with thrushes ( Hylocichla spp.) led to the isolation of three novel steroid pyrones from fireflies ( Photinus ignitus and P. marginellus ) responsible, in part at least, for the unpalatability of these insects to the birds. The term lucibufagin is coined for these steroidal pyrones. The closest known relatives of lucibufagins are the familiar cardiotonic bufadienolides, found in certain toads and plants.
antifeedants arthropod defensive substances Biological Sciences bufadienolides cardiotonics Ecology emetics

Details

Metrics

Logo image