ISSN:
1423-0445
Keywords:
chemical defense
;
predator-prey interaction
;
synergism
;
Coleoptera
;
Staphylinidae
;
Oxytelinae
;
Bledius
;
Carabidae
;
Dyschirius
;
Pogonus
;
Dichirotrichus
;
Formicinae
;
Cataglyphis
;
Dermaptera
;
Labidura
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Biology
Notes:
Summary The adaptation of defensive secretions to their target organisms was examined for the abdominal gland secretions ofBledius furcatus, B. spectabilis andB. arenarius. Therefore the target organisms of the secretion of theseBledius species (i.e. their predators) had to be identified. At the collection sites examined these were the earwigLabidura riparia, the antCataglyphis bicolor, the flyLispe candicans, different carabids of the generaPogonus, Dichirotrichus, Dyschirius, Bembidion andCalathus and the wading birdsHaematopus ostralegus andCalidris alba. The secretion of the abdominal glands contains the toxin ptoluquinone dissolved in eitherγ-dodecalactone and 1-undecene (B. furcatus andB. spectabilis) or in octanoic acid and octyloctanoate (B. arenarius). The ratio of these solvents is species-specific. Application experiments using some of the natural insect predators (L. riparia, C. bicolor, Pogonus, Di. gustavii, Dyschirius) revealed that these solvent ratios provided a more effective deterrent than other possible ratios. Thus by combining the solvents in certain ratios, the capability of cuticular penetration and therefore the effectiveness of the defensive secretions are adapted to their natural targets.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF01241675
