Phylogenetically derived species of Oxytelinae rove beetles have been found to manufacture definite ratios of different lactone-alkene-solvents in their quinoic defensive secretions. At a certain ratio of solvents the formulation shows a maximal repellency which has actually been found both in naturally occurring beetle secretions and in synthetic mixtures. This phenomenon was identified as quasisynergism since the found ratio of different solvents correlates with a maximal penetration rate of the toxic ρ-toluquinone of the secretions through the integument of an aggressing arthropod.
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