Abstract
The odours of the whole body and the secretion of Zonocerus variegatus were easily recognised and perceived by human volunteers. However, the secretion odour is not related to the odour of the food plant consumed by the grasshopper. The repellency of Z. variegatus becomes more pronounced in the 6th. and adult instars whose gland lumens contain an appreciable volume of secretion. The secretion odour is so strong that even dilution does not affect its repulsiveness to humans. The secretion had pharmacological properties: it induced contraction in rat (Rattus rattus) stomach smooth muscle preparations and guinea pig (Cavia porcellus) ileum, and induced oedema formation in the rat hind paw. The secretion was not lethal to the animals used in this study, effects were temporary and recovery occurs after a short time.
Highlights
Corresponding authorAbstrae!: The odours of the whole body and the secretion of Zonocerus variegatus were recognised and perceived by human volunteers
When molested, both sexes and an instars of the varíegated grasshopper, Zonocerus variega tus (L.) expel an odorous, milky secretions from a gland opening on the dorsal intersegmental membrane between the first and second abdomi nal tergites (Idowu 1995)
The secretion of Z. variegatus was lethal or does it produced any pennanent effect on la boratory animals and other insects
Summary
Abstrae!: The odours of the whole body and the secretion of Zonocerus variegatus were recognised and perceived by human volunteers. The secretion odour is not related to the odour of the food plant consumed by the grasshopper. The repellency of Z. variegalus becomes more pronounced in the 6th. Adult instars whose gland lumens contain an appreciable volume of secretíon. The seeretion odour is so strong that even dilulion does no! The secretion had pharmacological properties: it indueed contraction in rat (Rattus rattus) stomach smooth musc1e preparations and guinea pig (Cavia porcellus) ileum, and induced oedema formation in the rat hind paw. The secretion was not lethal to the animals used in this study, effects were temporary and reeovery oecurs after a short time
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