IDENTIFICATION OF THE DEFENSIVE COMPOUNDS IN METATHORACIC AND DORSAL ABDOMINAL GLANDS OF THE STINK BUGS Loxa deducta AND Pellaea stictica (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae)

IDENTIFICATION OF THE DEFENSIVE COMPOUNDS IN METATHORACIC AND DORSAL ABDOMINAL GLANDS OF THE STINK BUGS Loxa deducta AND Pellaea stictica (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae). The dorsal abdominal glands (DAGs) contents in nymphs and the metathoracic glands (MTG) in adult males and females (10, 20 and 30 days old) were characterized and quantified for Loxa deducta and Pellaea stictica. The major component for nymphs and adults was tridecane, with lesser amounts of other aliphatic hydrocarbons, aldehydes, oxo-alkenals and esters. The five nymphal instars showed significant differences in compounds proportion. No significant differences was detected in MTG components proportion between sexes. However (E)-2-hexenal and (E)-2-decenyl acetate was significantly lower in adults from 10 to 20 days.