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Protective chemicals in caterpillar survival

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Summary

Using two species of caterpillars; larvae of the swallowtail butterfly, which produce large amounts of iso-butyric and 2-methylbutyric acids, and larvae of the puss moth, which produce no such detectable volatile compounds, it was shown that the insect which utilizes a chemical defense is better protected from its natural enemy, a praying mantis.

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Chow, Y.S., Tsai, R.S. Protective chemicals in caterpillar survival. Experientia 45, 390–392 (1989). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01957490

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01957490

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