Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 5, 2026

Maintaining Biological Cultures and Measuring Gene Expression in Aphis nerii: A Non-model System for Plant-insect Interactions
Published on: August 31, 2018
Physiological sources of variation in chemical defense ofOreina gloriosa (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae)
F Eggenberger1, M Rowell-Rahier
1Zoologisches Institut der Universität Basel, Rheinsprung 9, CH-4051, Basel, Switzerland.
Abstract:
The defensive secretion of the alpine chrysomelidOreina gloriosa is a complex mixture of mainly cardenolides and tyrosine betaine. Individually sampled secretions of adult laboratory-reared and field-collected beetles were analyzed by reverse-phase HPLC; 16 secretion components were quantified. Quantities and concentrations of different components were significantly affected by the age, sex, and reproductive status of individual beetles. Aging was correlated with marked increases (up to 4.4-fold) and decreases (up to 2.7-fold) of quantities and concentrations of several components. Differences between the sexes were smaller, but quantities of all components and concentrations of several components were larger in laboratory-reared females than in males. There was less of one component of the secretion in mated than unmated females, but the concentrations of four secretion components were higher (up to 1.6-fold) in mated females.
Related Concept Videos
Defenses Against Pathogens and Herbivores
Chemical Factors Affecting Respiration Centers
CO2 has a potent influence on respiration and is strictly regulated....
Osmoregulation in Insects
Responses to Heat and Cold Stress
Pollination and Flower Structure
Predator-Prey Interactions

