Ecology

Identification of Chemical Defense of a Dung Beetle

A. Aliabadi 1 , R. J. Bartelt 2 & D. W. Whitman 3

1 4160 Chemistry, Illinois Sta. Univ., Normal, IL 61790, USA; 2 USDA, ARS National Center for Agricultural Utilization Research, Bioactive Agents Research Unit, Peoria, IL 61604, USA; 3 4120 Biological Sciences, Illinois Sta. Univ., Normal, IL 61790, USA, E-mail dwwhitm@ilstu.eduad

Dung beetles are not generally known to be chemically defended; however, some species in the genus Canthon (fam.: Scarabaeidae; subfam.: Scarabaeinae) emit tiny droplets of a fetid-smelling liquid from two small glands on the posterior margins of the elytra when disturbed. We analyzed this secretion via GC/MS and found the chemical components of this foul-smelling emission included indole, m-cresol, phenol, and creosol. The beetles discharged their odorous secretion when attacked; bird, mammal, and reptile predators, refused to eat them.

Index terms: Canthon, Scarabaeidae, Scarabaeinae, allomone.

Copyright: The copyrights of this original work belong to the authors (see right-most box in title table). This abstract appeared in Session 4 – CHEMICAL AND PHYSIOLOGICAL ECOLOGY Symposium and Poster Session, ABSTRACT BOOK I – XXI-International Congress of Entomology, Brazil, August 20-26, 2000.