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Science 6 July 1973:
Vol. 181. no. 4094, pp. 81 - 82
DOI: 10.1126/science.181.4094.81
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Articles

L-Dopa in Legume Seeds: A Chemical Barrier to Insect Attack

S. S. Rehr 1, D. H. Janzen 2, and P. P. Feeny 3

1 Department of Entomology, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14850
2 Department of Biology, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
3 Department of Entomology, Cornell University

Seeds of the genus Mucuna display both a remarkable immunity to attack by seed-eating insects and an unustially high concentration of free L-dopa. When seed powders or pure L-dopa were incorporated into artificial diets and fed to southern armyworm larvae, mortality increased, and abnormal pupae and adults resulted. At higher concentrations L-dopa acted as a feeding repellent.


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