Oxyops vitiosa

Defensive Compounds. Larvae of the weevil Oxyops vitiosa produce a shiny orange secretion that covers their integument and probably acts as deterrent against ants [420]. The composition of the secretion resembles the terpenoid pattern of the host foliage (Melaleuca quinquenervia) from where it is sequestered (concentration about twice that of the host foliage). It contains the sesquiterpene (+)-viridoflorol 230 (Scheme 25), the monoterpene hydrocarbons a-pinene 45, P-pinene 46, limonene 171, a-terpinene 231, and y-terpinene 232 as well as the oxygenated monoterpenesl,8-cineole 58, a-terpineol 233, and terpinen-4-ol 234. 

Anthonomus rubi and Oxyops vitiosa) unpublished data, Gregory S. Wheeler personal communication). Primary odorants marked with bold. E-DMNT 3 -4,8-dimethyl-l,3,7-nonatriene, enantiomers not tested. 

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