Phospholipids and triacylglycerols fatty acid composition of major tissues of the RED PALM weevil, Rhynchophorus ferrugineus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae)

The fatty acid profile of the red palm weevil (RPW), Rhynchophorus ferrugineus Oliv. (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), is determind. Phospholipid and triacylglycerol fatty acid compositions of the RPW adult and larval stages were determined using gas-liquid chromatography (GC). The fatty acid profiles of fatbodies, foregut, mid gut, hind gut and hemolymph was analyzed. The major components of the insect's fatty acids were primarily C₁₆ and C₁₈ saturated and monounsaturated fatty acids like palmitic (16:0), palmitoleic (16:1), stearic (18:0), oleic (18:1n-9), as will as linoleic (18:2n-6) and linolenic (18:3n-3). Fatty acid compositions of all tissues were not similar to the profile of their diet; most likely were modified by the insect. This was supported by the fact that their diet does not provide C₂₀ polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), but most insect tissue included them. The fatty acid profiles of both triacylglycerols and phospholipids were different. Individual tissues differed in their fatty acid composition. The C₂₀-PUFAs that act as eicosanoid precursors, namely homo-gamma-linolenic (20:3n-6), arachidonic (20:4n-6) and eicosapentaenoic (20:5n-3), were present in most tissues in moderate to low concentrations.