Patterns in the Formation of Isomeric Homologous Series of Epicuticular Hydrocarbons in Colorado Beetle Leptinotarsa decemlineata.

Epicuticular hydrocarbons from the Siberian population of Colorado beetle (Leptinotarsa decemlineata) formed eight isomeric homologous series of' mono-, di-, and trimethyl-branched alkanes with C26–C37 main-chain lengths. The major group of isomeric homologous series comprised terminally branched hydrocarbons with branching at the 2-position that were synthesized from valine (51% of the cuticular lipids). A second direction was the synthesis of internally branched alkanes with an acetyl-CoA primer (18%). Isomeric homologous series of hydrocarbons synthesized from propionyl-CoA accounted for 4%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]