The large carabid beetle Calosoma prominens Lee, when disturbed, discharges a spray from the tip of its abdomen, aiming it toward the particular region of the body stimulated. The active principle of the secretion is salicylaldehyde, identified by infrared and ultraviolet spectrophotometry. The spray is an effective deterrent to attack by ants, and to varying degree protects also against vertebrates.
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Eisner et al. (1963) studied this question.
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