title: Defensive secretion of two notodontid caterpillars (Schizura unicornis, S. badia).
abstract: The cervical gland secretion of larvae ofSchizura unicornis andS. badia (Lepidoptera: Notodontidae) contains formic acid, acetic acid, and a mixture of lipophilic compounds, including 2-alkanones, 2-alkanols, and formates of the alkanols. InS. unicornis, the secretion also contains severalω-monounsaturated analogs of the alcohols, ketones, and formates. The absolute configuration of two of the alcohols (2-tridecanol and 2-pentadecanol) was established asS in both species. The larvae spray their secretion when physically disturbed, aiming it accurately in the direction of the offending agent.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, Cornell University, 14853, Ithaca, New York.
authors.forename: A B
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Attygalle
authors.forename: S R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Smedley
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Meinwald
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Eisner