Assimilation of carotenoids with food by the beetle, Leptinotarsa decemlineata

The author investigated by means of columnar and thin-layer chromatography the carotenoids in the leaves of Solanum tuberosum L. and in larvae and adults of Leptinotarsa decemlineata.The following carotenoids were identified: (a) in the leaves of Solanum tuberosum: β-carotene, γ-carotene, lutein (free and ester), and neoxanthin; (b) in larvae of Leptinotarsa: α-carotene, β-carotene, γ-carotene, lutein (free and ester), zeaxanthin, and neoxanthin; (c) in adults of Leptinotarsa: β-carotene, echinenone, isocryptoxanthin, canthaxanthin lutein (free and ester), and neoxanthin.The results are discussed in the light of other studies on carotenoid distribution in insects and assimilation of carotenoids with food by Leptinotarsa.