Insects millipedes

Phylum Arthropoda Scorpions, spiders, crabs, insects, millipedes, centipedes... 

A few cyanohydrins and ethers of cyanohydrins occur naturally One species of millipede stores benzaldehyde cyanohydrin along with an enzyme that catalyzes its cleavage to benzaldehyde and hydrogen cyanide m separate compartments above its legs When attacked the insect ejects a mixture of the cyanohydrin and the enzyme repelling the invader by spraying it with hydrogen cyanide... 

It is commercially prepared from benzaldehyde and hydrogen cyanide. Mandelonitrile is used by certain insects (tiger beedes, an African millipede) as a defense duid (38). After expelling the duid an enzyme catalyzes the conversion of mandelonitrile to benzaldehyde and HCN, which is usually fatal to the insect s enemy. 

The production of HCN by animals is almost exclusively restricted to various arthropods 7 species of about 3000 species of centipedes 46 of 2500 species of polydesmid millipedes and 10 of 750,000 species of insects, including 3 species of beetles, 4 moths, and 3 butterflies (Duffey 1981). Millipedes — which are eaten frequently by toads and starlings — secrete cyanide for... 

In this discussion, we have restricted ourselves to the consideration of only a few examples of arthropod chemistry. From these alone, it is evident that insects synthesize defensive compounds by using all of the major biosynthetic pathways, producing acetogenins, simple aromatics and quinones, isoprenoids, and alkaloids. In addition, some of the millipedes, coccinellid beetles, and spiders we have studied utilize biosynthetic pathways that have yet to be characterized. 

Frogs of the genus Dendrobates are ant specialists. Of the more than 20 structural classes of lipophilic alkaloids found in the frogs, six occur in myrmicine ants. However, many dendrobatid alkaloids such as the batrachotoxins, histri-onicotoxins, and pumiliotoxins, have not yet been found in insects and other leaf-litter prey such as beetles and millipedes (Daly et al., 2000). The snake Lio-phis epinephelus feeds on Dendrobates and may further bioaccumulate alkaloids. 

Capuchin monkeys rub millipedes on their fur and skin to repel insects. Benzoquinones are the active principle. These compounds deter mosquitoes from feeding on human blood in the laboratory. Even captive capuchin monkeys seek benzoquinone-soaked tissues when these are offered by experimenters (Weldon etal, 2003 see also p. 268 and p. 377). 

Valderrama, X., Robinson, J. G., Attygalle, A. B., Athula, B., and Eisner, T. (2000). Seasonal anointment with millipedes in a wild primate a chemical defense against insects. Journal of Chemical Ecology 26,2781-2790. 

Insects, spiders, scorpions, crabs, centipedes, millipedes, and even some plankton are arthropods, the largest and most diverse animal phylum. Some are capable of producing very powerful toxins as an aid in the quest for food. Humans come in contact with these toxins, usually by accident or as a result of the animal defending itself. Some insects, mosquitoes and ticks for example, are capable of transmitting other organisms to humans that cause disease. While these organisms may be toxic to humans, they are not toxins and will not be discussed in this chapter. 

Another millipede, Polyzonium rosalbum, contains two alkaloids, poly-zonimine (19) and nitropolyzonamine (49), in its defensive secretion (Tables II and IV). Polyzonimine (19) is repellent to such natural enemies as ants and might effect the deterrence of various insects by acting as a topical irritant 113). 

Interspecific differences are also known for some naturally occurring poisons. Nicotine, for instance, is used as an insecticide and kills many insect pests at low doses, yet tobacco leaves constitute a normal diet for several species. As indicated earlier, most strains of rabbit eat Belladonna leaves without ill effects, whereas other mammals are easily poisoned. Natural tolerance to cyanide poisoning in millipedes and the high resistance to the powerful axonal blocking tetrodotoxin in puffer fish are examples of the tolerance of animals to the toxins they produce. 

Uses insecticide to control cockroaches, flies, fleas, mosquitoes, bugs, ants, millipedes and other insect pests in food storage areas, houses, animal houses, etc. also to control sucking and chewing insects in fruits, vegetables, ornamentals, vines, maize, lucerne, soya beans, cotton, sugar cane, rice cocoa, forestry, etc. 

Phosphonate esters can be deprotonated with sodium hydride or alkoxide anions to give enolate-type anions that react well with aldehydes or ketones to give -alkenes. Alkene-forming reactions with phosphonates are called Horner-Wadsworth-Emmons (or Horner-Emmons, Wadsworth-Emmons, or even Horner-Wittig) reactions. This example is a reaction that was used by some Japanese chemists in the synthesis of polyzonimine, a natural insect repellent produced by millipedes. 

Nothing is known of the biological activity of these spiropentano-pyrrol-izidine oximes. A bicyclic spiropentano-pyrroline, polyzonimine from a millipede is a potent topical irritant to insects 154). 

Many plants produce bad-tasting chemicals to protect themselves from plant-eating insects and animals. The familiar compound nicotine deters animals from eating the tobacco plant. The millipede sends an unmistakable back off message by squirting a predator with benzaldehyde and hydrogen cyanide. 

Mites, ticks, spiders, sowbugs, pillbugs, centipedes, and millipedes resemble insects in size, shape, life cycle, and habits. Pest species usually can be controlled with the same techniques and materials used to control insects. 

When millipedes are disturbed, some species curl up into a tight spiral, with their head in the center. Some species also exude a foul, dark fluid from pores in the sides of their body when they are disturbed. This excretion can kill some types of insects when they are closely confined with these millipedes. 

Spiders, millipedes, mites, crabs, and lobsters are also arthropods. Insects differ from these creatures because they have wings and only six legs. Their bodies are divided into three sections the head the thorax or midsection, where legs and wings are attached if they have them and the abdomen or tail section, where the digestive and reproductive... 

Beneficial Effect Both centipedes and millipedes are generally beneficial in the garden. Centipedes generally feed on soildwelling mites, insects, and insect larvae. 

About 21 kinds of separate prey items such as insects, other arthropods like arachnids and millipedes, and even annelids and small gastropods are know from previous investigations around the habitat of the Waitomo Caves to serve as food for the glowworms. However, our observations, having been very limited in time and scope, were unable to confirm this variety of food items in the Waitomo Caves. We have to assume that the vast majority of the food items that the Waitomo Caves glowworms have been feeding on, was made up of small insects from the subterranean stream. 

Polyzonimine, C10H17N, occurs in the defence secretion of the millipede Polyzonium rosalbum. It is a liquid, monoterpenoid, tertiary base containing an imino nitrogen atom, revealed by spectroscopy [i (C=N) 1626 cm ]. An X-ray diffraction analysis of a perchloric acid derivative revealed structure (4) for the alkaloid, confirmation being provided by synthesis (Scheme 1). Tests on the compound demonstrated its irritancy towards various insects. ... 

The phylum Arthropoda contains a number of subphyla, such as Chelicerata (scorpions, spiders and mites), Myriapoda (centipedes and millipedes), Crustacea (crabs, shrimps and woodlice) and Hexapoda (springtails, bristletails and insects). The most conspicuous and well-known members of the Arthropoda are, undoubtedly, the crustaceans and... 

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