Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
---|---|---|---|---|
1976151 | Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology Part B: Biochemistry and Molecular Biology | 2009 | 6 Pages |
Many species of tenebrionids produce and secrete a defensive volatile blend containing mainly benzoquinones and alkenes. In this study we characterized the volatile organic compounds (VOC) of the beetle Ulomoides dermestoides (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae). Solid phase microextraction (SPME) coupled to capillary gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (CGC–MS) analysis was used to identify methyl-1,4-benzoquinone (MBQ), ethyl-1,4-benzoquinone (EBQ), 1-tridecene (C13:1), and 1-pentadecene (C15:1), representing more than 90% of the volatile blend. We also used CGC–MS to analyze the epicuticular hydrocarbons of U. dermestoides. Saturated, unsaturated, and branched structures with chain lengths ranging from 13 to 43 carbons were detected. n-pentacosane (C25:0) and 9,11-pentacosadiene (9,11-C25:2) were the most abundant components, representing more than 40% of the cuticular hydrocarbons.