On the fate of methanol and ethanol in the adult larva of the cotton leaf worm (Prodenia litura F).

The metabolic fate of C-methanol and l-C-ethanol in the adult larva of Prodenia litura has been investigated in vivo. Following the intersegmental injection of C-methanol (1.2 mg/g. insect), about 70% of the radioactivity was recovered as C02 in the expired air, after 20 hours. Also, about one fourth of the administered dose was recovered as unchanged methanol, during the first six hours. Only a minute trace of C-formate was found in the excreta. It is suggested that a catalase-peroxide system is involved in the oxidation of methanol. Ethanol and its metabolites were eliminated at a slower rate than methanol. After 20 hours, C02 — being the major C-metabolite — accounted for 56% of the applied dose. In addition, there is at least one minor non-volatile C-metabolite eliminated in the excreta of ethanol-treated larvae.