Abstract
The aquatic bugAbedus herberti (Hemiptera: Belostomatidae) secretes a mixture containing four pregnanes (desoxycorticosterone (I), pregnenolone (II), progesterone (III), and 3α-hydroxy-pregn-5-en-20-one (IV)) from its cephalic glands. Pregnanes had previously been characterized from the defensive glands of aquatic beetles (Dytiscidae) and shown to be deterrent to fish. It may be specifically under predation pressure from fish thatA. herberti and Dytiscidae evolved their comparable defenses.
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Lokensgard, J., Smith, R.L., Eisner, T. et al. Pregnanes from defensive glands of a belostomatid bug. Experientia 49, 175–176 (1993). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01989425
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01989425