The chemistry of the pygidial gland of rove beetles, Stenus spp. (Latreille) (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae)

Grako678 B1

From 01/2004 to 12/2007

Principal Investigator: Konrad Dettner
Staff: Konrad Dettner, Klaus H. Hoffmann, Karlheinz Seifert, Carlo Unverzagt
Grant: GK 678/2 Graduate College 678: Ecological Significance of Natural Compounds and other Signals in Insects - from Structure to Function

Back in the 70’s, Schildknecht isolated the spreading alkaloid stenusin from S. comma and determined its structure (N-ethyl-3-(2-methylbutyl)-piperidine). The biosynthetic pathway of this alkaloid, however, remains unknown. Poupon, Kunesch and Husson suggested that it is derived from the amino acids lysine and isoleucine. We will test this hypothesis by offering deuterated amino acids to S. comma. Our experiments will determine the intra- and interspecific effects of synthetic stenusin , as well as any antibiotic effects. In addition to stenusin, the pygidial glands also contain other unknown compounds that need to be identified. S. comma has two pair of glands, one small and one large, that might differ in their composition of chemical compounds. We will also examine the degree to which secretion is sexually dimorphic within the genus Stenus.

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