Quinone mixture as attractant for necrophagous dung beetles specialized on dead millipedes

2-Methyl-1,4-benzoquinone (toluquinone) and 2-methoxy-3-methyl-1,4-benzoquinone are the most common components of defensive secretions of juliform millipedes (Diplopoda: Juliformia). A natural and a synthetic millipede-defensive secretion composed of these two substances attract dung beetles of a fe...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of chemical ecology 2004-04, Vol.30 (4), p.731-740
Main Authors: Schmitt, T, Krell, F.T, Linsenmair, K.E
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animal and plant ecology
Animal behavior
Animal, plant and microbial ecology
Animals
Arthropods - chemistry
Arthropods - physiology
Autoecology
benzoquinones
Benzoquinones - analysis
Biological and medical sciences
Coleoptera - genetics
Coleoptera - physiology
Cote d'Ivoire
defensive secretions
Diplopoda
Dung
dung beetles
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
insect attractants
Insect Control - methods
Insects
Odors
Onthophagus
Pheromones - analysis
Protozoa. Invertebrata
Scarabaeidae
Sexual Behavior, Animal - physiology
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Summary:2-Methyl-1,4-benzoquinone (toluquinone) and 2-methoxy-3-methyl-1,4-benzoquinone are the most common components of defensive secretions of juliform millipedes (Diplopoda: Juliformia). A natural and a synthetic millipede-defensive secretion composed of these two substances attract dung beetles of a few Onthophagus species (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) that feed mainly on freshly dead millipedes. This olfactory mechanism and adaptation to the toxic effects of quinones enables them to be the first and exclusive users of this resource.
ISSN:0098-0331
1573-1561
DOI:10.1023/B:JOEC.0000028428.53797.cb