Eisner T, Goetz M, Aneshansley D, Ferstandig-Arnold G, Meinwald J
Experientia. 1986 Feb 15;42(2):204-7. doi: 10.1007/BF01952471.
The blood of the Mexican bean beetle (Epilachna varivestis) contains a homotropane alkaloid, euphococcinine (1). The beetles 'reflex bleed' when disturbed, thereby deploying the alkaloid, which is provenly deterrent to spiders and ants. Newly emerged adults lack the alkaloid, but the compound builds up to deterrent levels in their blood within days. Eggs and larvae of Epilachna are devoid of the compound.
墨西哥豆瓢虫(Epilachna varivestis)的血液中含有一种高托烷生物碱——优福可辛(1)。受到干扰时,这种瓢虫会“反射性出血”,从而释放出这种生物碱,事实证明它对蜘蛛和蚂蚁具有威慑作用。刚羽化的成虫体内不含这种生物碱,但几天内其血液中的这种化合物就会积累到具有威慑力的水平。墨西哥豆瓢虫的卵和幼虫体内没有这种化合物。