Aphis jacobaeae

Vrieling, K., Smit, W. and Van der Meijden, E. 1991. Three-trophic interactions with pyrrolizidine alkaloids lead to general variation in PA concentrations between aphid species (Aphis jacobaea) and Tyria jacobaeae. Oecologia 86, 177-182... 

Besides avoiding, some insects can tolerate the defense chenustry of their host. The potato beetle Leptinotarsa decemlineata) lives on Solanum species containing steroidal alkaloids, which are tolerated but not stored by this species. The bruchid beetle, Bruchidius villosus, predates seeds of QA rich plants, such as Laburnum anagyroides. This beetle eliminates most of the dietary cystisine with the faces. Certain aphids can store the dietary alkaloids, for example, QA in Aphis cytisorum, A. genistae, and Macrosiphum albifrons and PA in Aphis jacobaeae and A. cacaliaster [70]. 

The ornate moth Utethesia ornatrix produces (i )-(-)-hydroxydanaidal (Figure 10.4) from pyrrolizidine alkaloids like monocrotaline N-oxide, and uses it as a sex attractant for females as the danaid butterflies do. The aphid Aphis jacobaeae also feeds on Senecio plants and stores these alkaloids. The ladybird Coccinella septempunctata (Plate 3) feeding on the aphids accumulates the pyrrolizidine alkaloids in turn, but does not accumulate cardiac glycosides (see earlier). 

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