Abstract
In order to search for biologically active compounds to induce the appearance of three-moulters in the silkworm, Bombyx mori L., each of abietic acid and its 37 derivatives and 16 hydrofluorene compounds was added to artificial diet at a dose of 200ppm and continuously fed to the larvae of F1-hybrid of four-moulters just after third moulting.
Three abietic acid derivatives and 11 hydrofluorene compounds were found to produce three-moulters in the insects. Further, some structure-activity relationships were recognized in these compounds. Of the 14 compounds, compound A-11 (methyl 6, 7-dioxo-5α, 10α-podocarpa-8, 11, 13-trien-15-oate) was the most active and revealed the biological effect even at a dose of 50ppm.
