Chemical defenses in the tiger beetle Pseudoxycheila tarsalis Bates (Carabidae : Cicindelinae)

Authors
Schultz, TD Puchalski, J
Citation
Td. Schultz et J. Puchalski, Chemical defenses in the tiger beetle Pseudoxycheila tarsalis Bates (Carabidae : Cicindelinae), COLEOPTS B, 55(2), 2001, pp. 164-166
Citations number
6
Categorie Soggetti
Entomology/Pest Control
Journal title
COLEOPTERISTS BULLETIN
ISSN journal
0010065X → ACNP
Volume
55
Issue
2
Year of publication
2001
Pages
164 - 166
Database
ISI
SICI code
0010-065X(200106)55:2<164:CDITTB>2.0.ZU;2-K
Abstract
When handled, adult Pseudoxycheila tarsalis Bates were observed to release a secretion from their pygidium that was distasteful to human subjects. Che mical analysis indicated that the secretion contained substituted benzene: compounds that are known is chemical defenses in tiger beetles. These findi ngs support the hypothesis that P. tarsalis is aposematic and a potential M ullerian mimic of stinging mutillid wasps.