Reassessment of interaction between gut detergents and tannins in lepidoptera and significance for gypsy moth larvae

Surface-active lysophospholipids are thought to interfere with tannin-protein interactions and may comprise an adaptation in Lepidoptera to tannin-rich diets. We found several lysophospholipids and phospholipids at about eight times the critical micelle concentration (CMC) in the midguts of gypsy moth larvae, which exhibited appropriately reduced surface tensions. We confirmed the interfering activity of lysophosphatidylcholine (lysolecithin) in a model astringency assay using tannic acid and hemoglobin (hemanalysis), but discovered that tannic acid and red oak tannin extracts precipitate the lipid from simulated midgut solutions quantitatively, even at pH 10. Leaf tannin extracts from trees on which gypsy moths grew and reproduced poorly precipitated lysolecithin more effectively than did extracts from trees on which gypsy moths performed well. Adding tannic acid to midgut fluid elevated surface tension, and about 25% of larvae feeding on oak leaves exhibited elevated midgut surface tension, suggesting a loss of surfactants. Larvae appear able to replace lost surfactants to a limited degree. An important effect of leaf tannins, and perhaps other phenolics, may be to reduce concentrations of surface-active phospholipids in the midgut and produce lipid or other dietary deficiencies in insects.