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Defensive Regurgitation of Allelochemicals Derived From Host Cyanogenesis By Eastern Tent Caterpillars
Author(s) -
Peterson Steven C.,
Johnson Nelson D.,
LeGuyader John L.
Publication year - 1987
Publication title -
ecology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.144
H-Index - 294
eISSN - 1939-9170
pISSN - 0012-9658
DOI - 10.2307/1939211
Subject(s) - host (biology) , allelopathy , odor , hydrogen cyanide , predation , bioassay , biology , insect , ecology , botany , zoology , biochemistry , germination , neuroscience
Eastern tent caterpillars regurgitate a droplet of enteric fluid when attacked by predatory ants. In laboratory bioassays, the regurgitated fluid of caterpillars fed cyanogenic young foliage of black cherry was more repellent to ants than was regurgitated fluid of caterpillars fed foliage that was less cyanogenic. Chemical analysis showed that hydrogen cyanide (HCN) and benzaldehyde, produced during host cyanogenesis, were present also in the regurgitated fluid. In bioassays with pure solutions, ants tolerated the odor of HCN but were repelled by benzaldehyde. This evidence indicates that incorporation of host—derived benzaldehyde into regurgitated fluid protects tent caterpillars from ant predation. The use or labile, plant—derived compounds in enteric discharges may be an important, but generally overlooked, insect defense.