The amino acid and lipophilic profiles of Chilo partellus (Swinhoe) larvae fluctuate with diapause

The Chilo partellus (Crambidae: Lepidoptera) larvae undergoes both hibernation and estivation in India. Although, much has been done on reproductive physiological aspects, little is known about biochemical changes happening during hibernation and estivation in C. partellus. Thus, we mapped changes in amino acid and lipophilic profiles of C. partellus larvae while undergoing hibernation and estivation using high‐performance liquid chromatography and gas chromatography mass spectroscopy. The studies revealed higher amounts of amino acids namely, serine, glycine, histidine, arginine, proline, tyrosine, and methionine in estivation, while lower in hibernation as compared with nondiapause larvae of C. partellus. Furthermore, the amounts of aspartic acid, glutamic acid, and alanine in hibernation, and threonine, valine, isoleucine, phenylalanine, and leucine in estivation were on par with nondiapause larvae. The lipophilic compounds namely, linoleic acid, stearic acid, eicosanoic acid, and n‐pentadecanol were lower in hibernation than estivation and nondiapause larvae of C. partellus. Palmitoleic acid and methyl 3‐methoxytetradecanoate contents were higher in hibernation than estivation and nondiapause, while myristic acid and lathosterol contents were higher in estivation than hibernation and nondiapause larvae of C. partellus. Cholesterol content was higher, while squalene and gamma‐ergostenol were lower in hibernation and estivation as compared with nondiapause larvae of C. partellus. These findings suggest that certain amino acids may be constituents of heat‐shock proteins and help C. partellus during estivation. However, the lipophilic compounds could be helpful in maintaining development during hibernation and estivation in C. partellus. Research highlights Amino acids namely, serine, glycine, histidine, arginine, proline, tyrosine, and methionine were higher in estivation, while lower in hibernation than nondiapause C. partellus larvae. Linoleic acid, stearic acid, eicosanoic acid, and n‐pentadecanol were lower, while palmitoleic acid and methyl 3‐methoxytetradecanoate higher in hibernation than estivation and nondiapause larvae. Cholesterol content was higher, while squalene and gamma‐ergostenol lower in hibernation and estivation than nondiapause larvae.