Note to users. If you're seeing this message, it means that your browser cannot find this page's style/presentation instructions -- or possibly that you are using a browser that does not support current Web standards. Find out more about why this message is appearing, and what you can do to make your experience of our site the best it can be.

Science 31 May 1974:
Vol. 184. no. 4140, pp. 996 - 999
DOI: 10.1126/science.184.4140.996
Prev | Table of Contents | Next

Articles

Defensive Use by an Insect of a Plant Resin

Thomas Eisner 1, Judith S. Johnessee 1, James Carrel 1, Lawrence B. Hendry 2, and Jerrold Meinwald 2

1 Section of Neurobiology and Behavior, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14850
2 Department of Chemistry, Cornell University

Larvae of the sawfly Neodiprion sertifer (Hymenoptera: Diprionidae), when disturbed, discharge an oily oral effluent essentially identical chemically to the terpenoid resin of its host plant (Pinus sylvestris). The resin is sequestered by the larva upon feeding, and stored in two compressible diverticular pouches of the foregut. The fluid is effectively deterrent to predators. The defensive use by an insect of a plant resin provides an instance of secondary utilization by a herbivore of the protective chemical weaponry of its host.


THIS ARTICLE HAS BEEN CITED BY OTHER ARTICLES:
Red Cochineal Dye (Carminic Acid): Its Role in Nature.
T. EISNER, S. NOWICKI, M. GOETZ, and J. MEINWALD (1980)
Science 208, 1039-1042
   Abstract »    PDF »
Chemical Basis for Feeding Adaptation of Pine Sawflies Neodiprion rugifrons and Neodiprion swainei.
T. IKEDA, F. MATSUMURA, and D. M. BENJAMIN (1977)
Science 197, 497-499
   Abstract »    PDF »
Reexamination of tetradecenyl acetates in oak leaf roller sex pheromone and in plants.
D. Hindenlang and J. Wichmann (1977)
Science 195, 86-89
   Abstract »    PDF »
Evidence for origin of insect sex pheromones: presence in food plants.
L. Hendry, J. Wichmann, D. Hindenlang, R. Mumma, and M. Anderson (1975)
Science 188, 59-63
   Abstract »    PDF »


To Advertise     Find Products

Science. ISSN 0036-8075 (print), 1095-9203 (online)