Defensive production of quinoline by a phasmid insect (Oreophoetes peruana)

Thomas Eisner, Randy C. Morgan, Athula B. Attygalle, Scott R. Smedley, Kithsiri B. Herath, Jerrold Meinwald

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

50 Scopus citations

Abstract

Adults and nymphs of the Peruvian stick insect Oreophoetes peruana (order Phasmatodea) have a pair of thoracic glands from which they discharge a malodorous fluid when disturbed. The secretion contains a single volatile component, quinoline. Quinoline has not been reposed previously from an animal source. The compound proved repellent or topically irritant in assays with ants, spiders, cockroaches and frogs. O. peruana nymphs, at molting, do not-extricate the shed cuticular lining of the glands, thereby managing not to lose their secretory supply when they cast their skin. They are able, as a consequence, to discharge secretion even while still teneral after molting.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)2493-2500
Number of pages8
JournalJournal of Experimental Biology
Volume200
Issue number19
StatePublished - Oct 1997

Keywords

  • Alkaloid
  • Chemical defense
  • Molting
  • Oreophoetes peruana
  • Predation
  • Stick insect

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