Abstract
A sternal abdominal defensive gland in adults of the Malayan cockroachArchiblatta hoeveni is described. It producesp-cresol and as a minor compound, phenol. When the animals are attacked, they eject the secretion as a spray that can be aimed in the direction of, the stimulus. The position, morphology, and chemistry of the gland support the taxonomic position ofArchiblatta within the Blattoidea.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Alsop, D.W. 1970. Defensive glands of arthropods: Comparative morphology of selected types. Ph.D. thesis, Cornell University.
Beier, M. 1974. Blattariae, pp. 1–127,in G. Helmcke, D. Starck, and H. Wermuth (eds.). Handbuch der Zoologie Vol. 4, Part 2, Sect. 2, 2nd edition (Kückenthal). Walter de Gruyter, Berlin.
Blum, M.S. 1964. Insect defensive secretions: Hex-2-enal inPelmatosilpha coriacea and its repellent value under natural conditions.Ann. Entomol. Soc. Am. 57:600–602.
Brossut, R. 1973. Evolution du système glandulaire exocrine céphalique des Blattaria et Isoptera.Int. J. Insect Morphol. Embryol. 2:35–54.
Chadha, M.S., Eisner, T., andMeinwald, J. 1961. Defensive mechanisms of Arthropods. III. Secretions of 2-hexenal by adults of the cockroachCutilia soror (Brunner).Ann. Entomol. Soc. Am. 54:642–643.
Feigl, F. 1960. Tüpfelanalyse. Akad. Verlagsges. Ffm, 4th edition Vol. II Organischer Teil.
Gilby, A.R., andCox, M. 1963. The cuticular lipids of the cockroach,Periplaneta americana (L.).J. Insect Physiol. 9:671–681.
Karny, H.H. 1924. Bemerkungen über einige Blattoideen,in Beiträge zur malayischen Orthopteren-Fauna, V. Treubia Vol. 5, pp. 3–19.
Kirby, W.F. 1904. A Catalogue of Orthoptera. London.
Knappe, E., andRohdewald, I. 1964. Die dünnschichtchromatographische Identifizierung der niederen Phenole über ihre Kupplungsprodukte mit Echtrotsalz AL.Z. Anal. Chem. 200:9–14.
Liang, Ch. 1956. The dorsal glands and ventral glands ofPeriplaneta americana (L.).Ann. Entomol Soc. Am. 49:548–551.
McKittrick, F.A. 1964. Evolutionary studies of cockroaches.Cornell Univ. Agr. Exp. Sta. Mem. No. 389, 197 pp.
Plattner, H.M., Salpeter, M., Carrel, J.E., andEisner, T. 1972. Struktur und Funktion des Drüsenepithels der postabdominalen Tergite vonBlatta orientalis.Z. Zellforsch, 125:45–87.
Princis, K. 1960. Zur Systematik der Blattarien. Eos 36:427–449.
Roth, L.M., Niegisch, W.D., andStahl, W.H. 1956. Occurrence of 2-hexenal in the cockroachEurycotis floridana.Science 123:670–671.
Roth, L.M. 1969. The evolution of male tergal glands in the Blattaria.Ann. Entomol. Soc. Am. 62:176–208.
Roth, L.M., andStahl, W.H. 1956. Tergal and cereal secretion of Blatta orientalis.Science 123:798–799.
Roth, L.M., andStay, B. 1958. The occurrence of paraquinones in some arthropods, with emphasis on the quinone secreting tracheal glands ofDiploptera punctata (Blattaria).J. Insect Physiol. 1:305–318.
Stay, B. 1957. The sternal scent gland ofEurycotis floridana (Blattaria: Blattidae).Ann. Entomol. Soc. Am. 50:514–519.
Takahashi, S., andKitamura, C. 1972. Occurrence of phenols in the ventral glands of the American cockroachPeriplaneta americana.Appl. Entomol. Zool. 7:199–206.
Wallbank, B.E., andWaterhouse, D.F. 1970. The defensive secretions ofPolyzosteria and related cockroaches.J. Insect Physiol. 16:2081–2096.
Waterhouse, D.F., andWallbank, B.E. 1967. 2-Methylene butanal and related compounds in the defensive scent ofPlatyzosteria cockroaches (Blattidae: Polyzosteriinae).J. Insect Physiol. 13:1657–1669.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Maschwitz, U., Tho, Y.P. Phenols as defensive secretion in a Malayan cockroach,Archiblatta hoeveni vollenhoven. J Chem Ecol 4, 375–381 (1978). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00989344
Received:
Revised:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00989344