IDENTIFICATION OF (2)-4-TRIDECENE FROM DEFENSIVE SECRETION OF GREEN LACEWING, Chrysoperla curneu

We report the identification of a defensive secretion from the green lacewing, Chrysoperla earnea By using combined gas chromatography-electroantennographic detection (GC-EAD), we found one major compound in the solvent extract of this secretion that elicited a significant BAD response from the antenna Based upon its characteristic fragments fiom gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis, the compound was identified as a tridecene Dimethyldisulfide derivatization suggested that a double bond was located between positions 4 and 5 in the carbon chain Thus, the compound was tentatively identified as a 4-tridecene Coinjection of the extract with a mixture of the Z or E form of the synthetic 4-tridecene revealed that the unknown was (2)-4-tridecene BAG dose-responses showed a direct correlation to dose Single sensillum recordings from sensilla trichodea situated on the antennae suggested the presence of receptor neurons specifically responding to this compound An arrestment behavior was observed when tested in the Y-tube olfactometer Preliminary field trapping results indicate that the compound is an antagonist to attraction The avoidance behavior of predatory ants, observed when tested with the synthetic compound of this secretion further suggested a defensive function Key Words-Defensive secretion, green lacewmg, Chrysoperla earned, (2)-4-tridecene, electroantennography, single sensillum recording, alarm pheromone, Chrysopidae, Neuroptera T o whom correspondence should be addressed 0098-033 1/00/1000-2421$18 00/0 @ 2000 Plenum Publishing Corporation