title: Defense in thrips: forbidding fruitiness of a lactone.
abstract: Expulsion of anal fluid from the upturned abdomen was demonstrated to serve a defensive function in the thrips Bagnalliella yuccae. An allomone in the anal exudate was identified as gamma-decalactone, a fruity-smelling compound that repelled potential predators. Chemical defenses may contribute to the ability of thrips to maintain large aggregations.
authors.forename: D F
authors.initials: DF
authors.lastname: Howard
authors.forename: M S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Blum
authors.forename: H M
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Fales