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Novel Chemistry of Abdominal Defensive Glands of Nymphalid Butterfly Agraulis vanillae

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Abstract

Abdominal defensive glands of both sexes of the Gulf fritillary butterfly, Agraulis vanillae (Linnaeus) (Nymphalidae:Heliconiinae)emit a pronounced odor when disturbed. We have identified 6-methyl-5-hepten-2-one; oleic, palmitic, and stearic esters of the corresponding alcohol 6-methyl-5-hepten-2-ol; hexadecyl acetate; 1,16-hexadecanediol diacetate; and 1,15-hexadecanediol diacetate in the glandular exudate. Since we have determined that free-flying birds or birds in a butterfly conservatory discriminate against A. vanillaeas prey, we suggest that the constituents in the glands may play a defensive role against potential avian predators.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. 6095 Stratford Avenue, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, 70808

    Gary N. Ross

  2. Laboratory of Biophysical Chemistry, NHLBI, NIH, Bethesda, s, Maryland, 20892

    Henry M. Fales, Helen A. Lloyd, Edward A. Sokoloski & Kimberly Marshall-Batty

  3. Department of Chemistry, Virginia Military Institute, Lexington, Virginia, 24450

    Tappey Jones

  4. Department of Entomology, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, 30602

    Murray S. Blum

Authors
  1. Gary N. Ross
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  2. Henry M. Fales
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  3. Helen A. Lloyd
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  4. Tappey Jones
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  5. Edward A. Sokoloski
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  6. Kimberly Marshall-Batty
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  7. Murray S. Blum
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Ross, G.N., Fales, H.M., Lloyd, H.A. et al. Novel Chemistry of Abdominal Defensive Glands of Nymphalid Butterfly Agraulis vanillae. J Chem Ecol 27, 1219–1228 (2001). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1010372114144

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1010372114144

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