A role of uroleuconaphins, polyketide red pigments in aphid, as a chemopreventor in the host defense system against infection with entomopathogenic fungi.

Four red polyketide pigments, uroleuconaphins A (1) and B (2) and their glucosides 3 and 4, were isolated from the red goldenrod aphid Uroleucon nigrotuberculatum. Although these red pigments exist only as glucosides 3 and 4 in the intact insect body, 3 and 4 convert instantly to aglycones 1 and 2 at death. Pigments 1 and 2 inhibited the growth of Lecanicillium sp. (Ascomycota: Cordycipitaceae) and 1, 2, and 3 were active against Conidiobolus obscurus (Entomophthoromycota; Entomophthorales); these fungal species are pathogenic. We therefore regard aphid pigments 1-4 as chemopreventive agents that aid in the resistance of infection by entomopathogenic fungi at the level of the individual aphid and/or at the species level.