DEFENSIVE PRODUCTION OF QUINOLINE BY A PHASMID INSECT (OREOPHOETES PERUANA)

Adults and nymphs of the Peruvian stick insect Oreophoetes peruana (or der Phasmatodea) have a pair of thoracic glands from which they discha rge a malodorous fluid when disturbed, The secretion contains a single volatile component, quinoline, Quinoline has not been reported previo usly from an animal source, The compound proved repellent or topically irritant in assays with ants, spiders, cockroaches and frogs, O., per uana nymphs, at molting, do not extricate the shed cuticular lining of the glands, thereby managing not to lose their secretory supply when they cast their skin, They are able, as a consequence, to discharge se cretion even while still teneral after molting.