The presence of considerable quantities of hydroquinones including hydroquinone, 2-methylhydroquinone, 2,3- dimethoxyhydroquinone,
2-methoxy-3-methylhydroquinone, and 2,3-dimethoxy-5-methylhydroquinone renders the defensive secretion of
Acladocricus setigerus (Silvestri, 1897) significantly different from that of other quinone-producing millipedes. In addition, two hitherto undescribed
compounds, namely, 2,3-dimethoxy-5-methylhydroquinone and 2-methyl-3,4-methylenedioxyphenol, were characterized from the defensive
secretion. However, it is uncertain if the latter compound is formed after the release of the secretion. The two major compounds,
2-methyl-1,4-benzoquinone and 2-methoxy-3-methyl-1,4-benzoquinone, constitute about 75% of the defensive fluid. Furthermore,
hydrocarbons, which are typically present in the secretions of most other arthropods that use benzoquinones as repellents,
are notably absent in the secretion of
A. setigerus.
Keywords Chuuk - Micronesia - millipede - Acladocricus setigerus - chemical defense - benzoquinones - hydroquinones - 2,3-dimethoxy-5-methylhydroquinone - 2-methyl-3,4-methylenedioxyphenol