ISSN:
1420-9071
Keywords:
Coleoptera
;
chemical defense
;
feeding deterrent
;
alkaloid
;
homotropane
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Biology
,
Medicine
Notes:
Summary The blood of the Mexican bean beetle (Epilachna varivestis) contains a homotropane alkaloid, euphococcinine (1). The beetles ‘reflex bleed’ when disturbed, thereby deploying the alkaloid, which is provenly deterrent to spiders and ants. Newly emerged adults lack the alkaloid, but the compound builds up to deterrent levels in their blood within days. Eggs and larvae ofEpilachna are devoid of the compound.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF01952471
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