D3046: Pyrrolizidine alkaloids in Arctiinae

Insect and plant coevolution has led to multiple adaptation strategies involving the sequestration of chemical compounds. Pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs) are secondary metabolites used by plants as defensive chemicals against herbivorous insects. Some herbivorous insects have evolved biochemical mechanisms to tolerate, sequester, and even use PAs against predators and parasitoids. Several arctiine moths have gone one step further by transferring PAs to the eggs and transforming them into sexual pheromones, being essential for species survival. To summarize the key information and material for the field and to identify potential research opportunities, we analyzed 108 studies retrieved from an exhaustive search on Web of Science. Through a scientometric analysis, we synthesized the available literature, highlighting the importance of authors, journals, keywords, and countries. Using a systematic review methodology, we evaluated the frequency of the moth species studied, along with their research topic and diet, allowing us to identify major knowledge gaps in the field. We show that the number of publications has decreased considerably in the past eight years, and most of the research focused on a limited number of moth species and research topics. Our results provide information that can help direct research and funding efforts to further the development of knowledge about PAs in Arctiinae.