Cucurbitacins: specific insect attractants in Cucurbitaceae.

In vivo studies of cucurbitacins, the bitter principles present in Cucurbitaceae, indicated a quantitative relation between the concentrations of cucurbitacin in the plant and the degree of insect feeding. In vitro studies demonstrated the attractiveness of these compounds when they were separated from influences of other components of the host plants.

Squash Containing Toxic Cucurbitacin Compounds Occurring in California and Alabama.

A highly toxic, extremely bitter compound was found in canned zucchini squash from a large California cannery. The same toxin occurred in yellow straightneck squash grown in two different home gardens in Alabama. The compound was determined as cucurbitacin E and the quantities found in both squash types were potentially hazardous to humans.