The partly racemized nature of fl, fl-caroten-2-ol from the moth Cerura vinula and of fl, fl-caroten-2-ol, 2'-hydroxy-fl, fl-caroten-2-one and fl.fl-carotene-2.2'-diol from the stick insect Ectatosoma tiaratum was indicated by CD and confirmed by 1H-NMR of their MTPA esters in the presence of Eu(fod)a shift reagent. Possible enzymic reactions causing the mixtures of the 2R- and 2S-enantiomers are discussed briefly.