Abstract
From a pair of exocrine glands located on the fifth abdominal sternite, the caddisflyPycnopsyche scabripennis secretes a defensive exudate which containsp-cresol, indole, and skatole. This secretion effectively repels invertebrate predators such as ants. The probable significance of this secretion in the biology of these caddisflies is discussed.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Anderson, T.F. 1951. Techniques for the preservation of three dimensional structures in preparing specimens for electron microscope.Trans. N. Y. Acad. Sci. 13:13 -134.
Barth, R. 1963a. Das Duftorgan vonBarypenthus sp. (Trichoptera: Odontoceridae).Mem. Inst. Oswaldo Cruz 61:133–141.
Barth, R. 1963b. Ueber eine Besondere Muskelform vonBarypenthus sp. (Trichoptera)Mem. Inst. Oswaldo Cruz 61:143–147.
Betten, C. 1934. The caddisflies or Trichoptera of New York state.N. Y. State Mus. Bull. 292:1–576.
Betten, C. 1950. The genusPycnopsyche (Trichoptera).Ann. Entomol. Soc. Am. 43: 508–522.
Blum, M.S., Wallace, J.B., andFales, H.M. 1973. Skatole and tridecene: Identification and possible role in a chrysopid secretion.Insect Biochem. 3:353–357.
Eisner, T., Hurst, J.J., andMeinwald, J. 1963. Defensive mechanisms of arthropods. XI. The structure, function, and phenolic secretions of the glands of a chordeumoid millipede and a carabid beetle.Psyche 70:94–116.
Flint, O.S., Jr. 1960. Taxonomy and biology of Nearctic Limnephilid larvae (Trichoptera) with special reference to species in the eastern United States.Entomol. Americana 40:1–117.
Hynes, H.B.N. 1970. The Ecology of Running Waters. Univ. Toronto Press, Toronto. 555 pp.
Law, J.H., Wilson, E.O., andMcCloskey, J.A. 1965. Biochemical polymorphism in ants.Science. 149:544–546.
Ross, H.H. 1956. Evolution and Classification of the Mountain Caddisflies. Univ. Illinois Press, Urbana. 213 pp.
Takahashi, S., andKitamura, C. 1972. Occurrence of phenols in the ventral glands of the American cockroach,Periplaneta americana (L.) (Orthoptera: Blattidae).Appl. Entomol. Zool. 7:199–206.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Duffield, R.M., Blum, M.S., Wallace, J.B. et al. Chemistry of the defensive secretion of the caddisflyPycnopsyche scabripennis (Trichoptera: Limnephilidae). J Chem Ecol 3, 649–656 (1977). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00988064
Received:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00988064