Abstract
We investigated the exocrine secretions from the five nymphal instars in the southern green stink bug,Nezara viridula, by analyzing separately the contents of the three dorsal abdominal reservoirs. All DAGs 1 produced a mixture of five alkanes with 12, 13, 14, 15, and 16 carbons. No differences were found between DAGs 2 and DAGs 3, for the five instars: the glands of first instars produce the same alkanes as DAGs 1,n-tridecane, traces of (E)-2-decenal, and a specific compound: (E)-4-oxo-2-decenal. In the other instars (second to fifth), (E)-4-oxo-2-decenal is absent from the secretion but another compound is present: (E)-4-oxo-2-hexenal. The kinetics of production of the different compounds were studied, the maximum amounts produced occurring 36 hr after hatching. The biological function of (E)-4-oxo-2-decenal was investigated. Using olfactometry, we showed that this compound acts as an attractant and an arrestant on second instars, at physiological doses. Moreover, this semiochemical was shown to be repellent to the fire-antSolenopsis geminata, a potential predator ofN. viridula and we established the dose-response curve for the repellent activity.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Aldrich, J.R. 1988. Chemical ecology of Heteroptera.Annu. Rev. Entomol. 33:211–238.
Aldrich, J.R., Blum, M.S., Lloyd, H.A., andFales, H.M. 1978. Pentatomid natural products. Chemistry and morphology of the III–IV dorsal abdominal glands of adults.J. Chem. Ecol. 4:161–172.
Aldrich, J.R., Kochansky, J.P., Lusby, W.R., andSexton, J.D. 1984. Semiochemicals from a predaceous stink bug,Podisus maculiventris (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae).J. Wash. Acad. Sci. 74:39–46.
Baker, J.T., Blake, J.D., MacLeod, J.K., Ironside, D.A., andJohnson, I.C. 1972. The volatile constituents of the scent gland reservoir of the fruit-spotting bug,Amblypelta nitida.Aust. J. Chem. 25:393–400.
Borges, M., andAldrich, J.R. 1992. Instar-specific defensive secretions of stink bugs (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae).Experientia 48:893–896.
Calam, D.H., andYoudeowi, A. 1968. Identification and functions of secretion from the posterior scent gland of fifth instar larva of the bugDysdercus intermedius.J. Insect Physiol. 14:1147–1158.
Everton, I.J., Games, D.E., andStaddon, B.W. 1974. Composition of the scent fromApodiphus amygdali.Ann. Entomol. Soc. Am. 67:815–816.
Farine, J.P. 1989. Identification et rôle des médiateurs chimiques intervenant dans le grégarisme, l'alarme, la défense et le comportement sexuel des Pyrrhocoridae (Insectes, Hémiptères). Thèse de Doctorat d'Etat. Université de Bourgogne, Dijon, France.
Farine, J.P., Bonnard, O., Brossut, R., andLe Querre, J.L. 1992a. Chemistry of pheromonal and defensive secretions in the nymphs and the adults ofDysdercus cingulatus Fabr. (Heteroptera, Pyrrhocordiae).J. Chem. Ecol. 18(1):65–76.
Farine, J.P., Bonnard, O., Brossut, R., andLe Querre, J.L. 1992b. Chemistry of defensive secretions in nymphs and adults of the fire bug,Pyrrhocoris apertus L. (Heteroptera: Pyrrhocoridae).J. Chem. Ecol. 18(10):1673–1682.
Farine, J.P., Everaerts, C., Brossut, R., andLe Quere, J.L. 1993. Defensive secretions of nymphs and adults of five species of Pyrrhocoridae (Insecta: Heteroptera).Biochem. Syst. Ecol. 21(3):363–371.
Gough, A.J.E., Hamilton, J.G.C., Games, D.E., andStaddon, B.W. 1985. Multichemical defense of plant bugHotea gambiae (Westwood) (Heteroptera: Scutelleridae).J. Chem. Ecol. 11:342–352.
Gunawardena, N.E., andHerath, H.M.W.K.B. 1991. Significance of medium chainn-alkanes as accompanying compounds in hemipteran defensive secretions: An investigation based on the defensive secretion ofCoridius janus.J. Chem. Ecol. 17(12):2449–2458.
Ishiwatari, T. 1974. Studies of the scent of stink bugs. I. Alarm pheromone activity.Appl. Entomol. Zool. 9:153–158.
Ishiwatari, T. 1976. Studies of the scent of stink bugs. II. Aggregation pheromone activity.Appl. Entomol. Zool. 11:38–44.
Levinson, H.Z., Levinson, A.R., andMaschwitz, U. 1974. Action and composition of the alarm pheromone of the bed bugCimex lectularius.Naturwissenschaften 61:684–685.
Lockwood, J.A., andStory, R.N., 1985. Bifunctional pheromone in the first-instar of the southern green stink bug,Nezara viridula (L.) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae): Its characterization and interaction with other stimuli.Ann. Entomol. Soc. Am. 78:474–479.
Lockwood, J.A., andStory, R.N. 1986. Adaptative functions of nymphal aggregation in the southern green stink bug,Nezara viridula.Environ. Entomol. 15(3):739–749.
Lockwood, J.A., andStory, R.N. 1987. Defensive secretion of the southern green stink bug (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) as an alarm pheromone.Ann. Entomol. Soc. Am. 80:686–691.
Pavis, C. 1986. Aspects de la communication phéromonale et de la sensibilité olfactive chez un Hétéroptère Pentatomidae:Nezara viridula (L.). Thèse de 3ème cycle. Université Paris Sud, Centre d'Orsay, France. 195 pp.
Pavis, C. 1987. Les sécrétions exocrines des Hétéroptères (allomones et phéromones). Une mise au point bibliographique.Agronomie 7(8):547–561.
Piancatelli, G., Scettri, A., andD'Auria, M. 1980. Oxidative ring opening of furane derivatives to α,β-unsaturated γ-dicarbonyl compounds, useful intermediates for 3-oxocyclopentenes synthesis.Tetrahedron 36:661–663.
Schmuck, R. 1987. Aggregation behavior of the fire bug,Pyrrhocoris apterus, with a special reference to its assembling scent.Entomol. Gen. 12:155–169.
Staddon, B.W. 1979. The scent glands of Heteroptera.Adv. Insect Physiol. 14:351–418.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Pavis, C., Malosse, C., Ducrot, P.H. et al. Dorsal abdominal glands in nymphs of southern green stink bug,Nezara viridula (L.) (heteroptera: Pentatomidae): Chemistry of secretions of five instars and role of (E)-4-oxo-2-decenal, compound specific to first instars. J Chem Ecol 20, 2213–2227 (1994). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02033198
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02033198