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J Chem Ecol

Title:		Synergy versus potency in the defensive secretions from nymphs of two pentatomomorphan families (Hemiptera: Coreidae and Pentatomidae)
Author(s):		Eliyahu D; Ceballos RA; Saeidi V; Becerra JX;
Address:		"Center for Insect Science, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA. dorite@email.arizona.edu"
Journal Title:		J Chem Ecol
Year:		2012
Volume:		20121019
Issue:		11
Page Number:		1358 - 1365
DOI:		10.1007/s10886-012-0200-0
ISSN/ISBN:		1573-1561 (Electronic) 0098-0331 (Print) 0098-0331 (Linking)
Abstract:		"One characteristic of true bugs (Heteroptera) is the presence of dorsal abdominal glands in the immature nymphal stages. These glands usually produce defensive chemicals (allomones) that vary among taxa but are still similar in closely related groups. Knowledge of the chemistry and prevalence of allomones in different taxa may clarify the evolution of these chemical defensive strategies. Within the infraorder Pentatomomorpha, the known secretions of nymphs of Pentatomidae tend to contain the hydrocarbon, n-tridecane, a keto-aldehyde, and an (E)-2-alkenal as the most abundant components. In the Coreidae, the dorsal abdominal gland secretions of nymphs often contain little or no hydrocarbon, and the most abundant keto-aldehyde and (E)-2-alkenal are often of shorter chain-length than those of pentatomids. We hypothesized that the long chain compounds would be less potent than their shorter homologs, and that bugs that carry the former would benefit from a synergistic effect of n-tridecane. To test this hypothesis we used three different behavioral assays with ants. A predator-prey assay tested the deterrence of allomones toward predators; a vapor experiment tested the effectiveness of allomones in the gaseous phase toward predators; and application of allomones onto predators tested the effect of direct contact. The results substantiate the hypothesis of a synergistic effect between n-tridecane and longer chain keto-aldehyde and (E)-2-alkenal in deterring predators. The short chain keto-aldehyde 4-oxo-(E)-2-hexenal was highly effective on its own. Thus, it seems that different groups of the infraorder diverged in their strategies involving defensive chemicals. Implications of this divergence are discussed"
Keywords:		Aldehydes/chemistry/pharmacology Alkanes/chemistry/pharmacology Animals Ants/drug effects/physiology Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry Hemiptera/*metabolism Nymph/metabolism Pentastomida/*metabolism Pheromones/*chemistry/metabolism Predatory Behavior/d;
Notes:		"MedlineEliyahu, Dorit Ceballos, Roxanne A Saeidi, Vahid Becerra, Judith X eng K12 GM000708/GM/NIGMS NIH HHS/ 1 K12 GM000708/GM/NIGMS NIH HHS/ Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't 2012/10/20 J Chem Ecol. 2012 Nov; 38(11):1358-65. doi: 10.1007/s10886-012-0200-0. Epub 2012 Oct 19"