Characterization of Chemical Defensive Behavior and Associated Glands in the Destructive Invasive Longhorn Beetle Aromia bungii.

ABSTRACT: This study characterizes the chemical defense system of the invasive longhorn beetle Aromia bungii, a destructive pest of Prunus trees, addressing the limited understanding of chemical defensive mechanisms in Cerambycidae. High-speed cameras, environmental scanning electron microscopy (ESEM), dissection, and micro-CT imaging were used to investigate defensive behavior, and the structure of the defense system, in this beetle. Both sexes of A. bungii possess a pair of triangular, sac-like defensive glands symmetrically located in the metathorax, attached to the metasternum. Upon mechanical stimulation, white liquid defensive substances are rapidly ejected through a pair of slit-shaped openings (~200 µm) at the metasternum corners, without gland eversion, reaching over 50

SUBMITTER: Chen R 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12841808 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature