Leaf beetle larvae secrete defensive compound when feeding Date: December 9, 2013 Source: Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology Summary: Scientists have discovered the decisive biological ...

Larvae of the leaf beetle Chrysomela lapponica attack two tree species: willow and birch. To fend off predator attacks, their larvae produce toxic butyric acid esters or salicylaldehyde, whose ...

An adult female is about 7 millimeters long; she inserts eggs into alder leaves, usually those that are relatively young and low on the tree. The larvae feed first on the upper leaf surface, later ...

To protect themselves, some leaf beetle larvae have developed sophisticated mechanisms. Upon being disturbed, they emit a deterrent from their defensive glands as little droplets on their back.