First insights into the chemical defensive system of the erotylid beetle, Tritoma bipustulata

Drilling, Kai; Dettner, Konrad

doi:10.1007/s00049-010-0054-2

Cited by 8 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 38 publications

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“…Moreover, sexual dimorphism has been found in CHCs of several butterfly species (Ô mura and Honda 2005;Dapporto 2007). In this study, amounts of p-cresol and docosane were significantly higher for male adults than for female adults.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 67%

Pungent odor of the adult skipper butterfly Erynnis montanus (Lepidoptera: Hesperiidae)

Ômura

Honda

2011

Appl Entomol Zool

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Adults of some butterfly species have odors, several components of which are known to have pheromonal or defensive functions. Little is known about the odors of hesperiid butterflies, however. Erynnis montanus (Hesperiidae), especially male adults, emit a pungent odor that is detectable by the human nose. Chemical analysis has revealed that crude extracts of wild individuals contained 10 volatile substances, of which docosane and heneicosane were the main components. Because males contain a significantly larger amount of p-cresol than females, this aromatic compound is characterized as a strong male odor. At the end of the adult occurrence period, p-cresol decreased substantially in each male. Benzothiazole, identified for the first time in lepidopteran adults, was present in both sexes in almost equal amounts. Among the 10 volatile substances detected in males, biased distribution in the wings rather than the body was observed for benzothiazole, heptanal, and p-cresol. Male adults have androconial organs in the costal part of the forewing on which benzothiazole and p-cresol tended to concentrate. However, these compounds were detected not only in other parts of the forewing but also in the hindwing and body, suggesting the presence of undiscovered scent-producing organs.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 67%

Pungent odor of the adult skipper butterfly Erynnis montanus (Lepidoptera: Hesperiidae)

Ômura

Honda

2011

Appl Entomol Zool

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The debris-cloaking larva of Catapotia laevissima and the origin of defensive strategies in Anamorphidae and other Coccinelloidea (Coleoptera)

Arriaga-Varela,

Leschen,

Tomaszewska

2023

Org Divers Evol

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Debris-cloaking, a method of concealment with material collected from the environment, has evolved repeatedly with the purpose of avoiding detection in adults or immatures of various invertebrates including beetles. Fungus beetles in the family Anamorphidae (Coccinelloidea) are small-sized spore feeders of predominantly surface-dwelling habits. Debris-cloaking has been reported only for two genera in the family and nowhere else in Coccinelloidea. Here we report debris-cloaking behaviour in larvae of the Neotropical beetle genus Catapotia, describe its larvae, and compare it to confamilials. We summarise the knowledge on the defensive mechanisms and the natural history traits for members of the coccinellid group of Coccinelloidea. Possible evolutionary origins for the defensive mechanism are reconstructed on the basis of available phylogenetic hypotheses. Groups containing species with a larger body size also have a higher number of defensive strategies in larvae and adults; these include members of Endomychidae and Coccinellidae that exhibit reflex bleeding, aposematic colouration, and gregarious behaviour. Debris-cloaking has likely evolved only once, in the comparatively small-sized Anamorphidae.

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Physiological costs of chemical defence: repeated reflex bleeding weakens the immune system and postpones reproduction in a ladybird beetle

Knapp

Řeřicha

Židlická

2020

Sci Rep

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In insects, external chemical defences, such as reflex bleeding, have been proved to be an efficient strategy against various predators. At the same time, significant costs of reflex bleeding can be expected because bled haemolymph is lost and all valuable components included have to be renewed. Interestingly, this issue has rarely been investigated for adult insects. In this study, we examined the immune and fitness costs of repeated reflex bleeding in adults of the invasive ladybird Harmonia axyridis, investigating several haemolymph parameters. Reflex bleeding induced twice a week for three weeks resulted in a significant reduction in haemocyte concentration, total protein content, and antimicrobial activity against Micrococcus luteus, and a marginally non-significant decrease in antimicrobial activity against Escherichia coli. Repeated reflex bleeding did not result in significant body mass reduction. Interestingly, resource limitation in the form of complete food absence did not significantly interact with reflex bleeding, even though starvation itself had a strong negative effect on all haemolymph parameters investigated and individual body mass. Daily reflex bleeding did not result in decreased fecundity of young ladybirds during the first 30 days of their adult life, but the start of ladybird reproduction was delayed by about two days. Moreover, ladybirds bleeding larger amounts of haemolymph started their reproduction significantly later. Overall, our results indicate that repeated reflex bleeding weakens a ladybird’s immune system and can increase their susceptibility to pathogens, but a ladybird’s reproductive potential remains almost unaffected, even by very intensive reflex bleeding.

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First insights into the chemical defensive system of the erotylid beetle, Tritoma bipustulata

Cited by 8 publications

References 38 publications

Pungent odor of the adult skipper butterfly Erynnis montanus (Lepidoptera: Hesperiidae)

Pungent odor of the adult skipper butterfly Erynnis montanus (Lepidoptera: Hesperiidae)

The debris-cloaking larva of Catapotia laevissima and the origin of defensive strategies in Anamorphidae and other Coccinelloidea (Coleoptera)

Physiological costs of chemical defence: repeated reflex bleeding weakens the immune system and postpones reproduction in a ladybird beetle

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