%0 Journal Article %T Fate of Ingested Aristolactams from Aristolochia chilensis in Battus polydamas archidamas (Lepidoptera: Papilionidae) %A Alejandro Urz¨²a %A Angel Olgu¨ªn %A Roc¨ªo Santander %J Insects %D 2013 %I MDPI AG %R 10.3390/insects4040533 %X We performed a sequestration study of aristolactams (ALs) from Aristolochia chilensis in Battus polydamas archidamas (Lepidoptera: Papilionidae) by examining the AL content of the plant, fifth instar larvae, osmeterial secretion, pupae, exuviae and feces. Aristolactam-I (AL-I) and aristolactam-II (AL-II) present in A. chilensis are sequestered by fifth instar larvae of B. polydamas archidamas. There is a preferential sequestration of AL-II, or a more efficient metabolization and excretion of AL-I, by the larva. No ALs were found in the osmeterial secretion, pupae and exuviae; in addition, little AL-I and no AL-II were found in larval frass. The two lactams, particularly AL-I, are extensively metabolized to other products in the larva. A reasonable hypothesis is that the ingested ALs are oxidized to their respective aristolochic acids. %K Aristolochia chilensis %K aristolactams %K Battus polydamas archidamas %K larvae %K sequestration %K excretion %K metabolization %U http://www.mdpi.com/2075-4450/4/4/533