A foul odor from the mesozoic: early evolution of scent gland defense in pentatomomorphan true bugs (Hemiptera: Heteroptera).

ABSTRACT:

Background

Insects have evolved various antipredator defenses, some of which produce copious chemicals when threatened, such as ants, beetles, butterflies, moths, stick insects, and true bugs. The true bugs (Hemiptera: Heteroptera) are known for their foul odor, which comprises over 45,000 species of biologically and economically important insects. One key element to the success of heteropterans is the evolution of specialized defensive glands, specifically the metathoracic scent gland in adults and the dorsal abdominal scent glands in nymphs, a hallmark synapomorphy for the clade. Within Pentatomomorpha, the scent gland peritreme exhibits remarkable morphological diversity, yet its evolutionary origins and drivers remain poorly understood due to sparse fossil evidence of these del

SUBMITTER: Dai R 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12625372 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature