Leaves of each of six cruciferous plant species investigated contained glucosinolates. There was no correlation between the total glucosinolate concentration of the species (identity of the glucosinolates unknown) and the oviposition response of the adult cabbage maggot, Hylemya brassicae (Bouché). Tests with chemical fractions isolated from rutabaga root tissue indicated that glucosinolates are the major, and perhaps the only, oviposition-inducing substances present in cruciferous plants. It is suggested that oviposition preferences are governed by the presence of some ’key’ glucosinolates and the absence of inhibitory chemicals.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Nair et al. (1976) studied this question.
Synapse has enriched one closely related paper. Consider it for comparative context: