Abstract
The morphology of the scoli of Eudia pavonia, Saturnia pyri and Eupackardia calleta last instar caterpilars has been clarified. Chemical and biochemical comparisons of scolus secretions and corresponding caterpillar haemolymphs indicate two differing defensive strategies: Eudia and Saturnia contain phenolic and related compounds, whereas Eupackardia additionally synthesizes biogenic amines (e.g. neurotransmitters) in considerable amounts. For most aromatic compounds from the caterpillars a theoretical biogenetic scheme is proposed. Deterrent effects of all secretions and most haemolymphs on particular predatory ants were ascertained.
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Abbreviations
- CI:
-
chemical ionisation
- EI:
-
electronimpact ionisation
- GC-MS:
-
gas chromatography-mass spectrometry
- GS:
-
gland secretion
- HL:
-
haemolymph
- PMSF:
-
phenylmethylsulphonyl fluoride
- SDS-PAGF:
-
sodium dodecyl sulphate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis
- SEM:
-
scanning electron microscope
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Deml, R., Dettner, K. Biogenic amines and phenolics characterize the defensive secretion of saturniid caterpillars (Lepidoptera: Saturniidae): a comparative study. J Comp Physiol B 163, 123–132 (1993). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00263597
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00263597