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Adephaga
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==Delivery of glandular compounds== Secretion can occur in multiple manners: *Oozing: if the gland is not muscle-lined, the discharge is limited in amount. *Spraying: if the gland is muscle-lined, which is typically the case of carabids, the substances are ejected more or less forcefully. *Crepitation: boiling noxious chemical spray ejected with a popping sound. Crepitation is only associated with the [[Brachininae]] carabids and several related species. See [[bombardier beetle]] for a detailed description. The secretions differ in the chemical constituents, according to the taxa. [[Gyrinidae|Gyrinids]], for instance, secrete [[Sesquiterpene|norsesquiterpenes]] such as gyrinidal, gyrinidione, or gyrinidone. [[Dytiscidae|Dytiscids]] discharge aromatic [[aldehyde]]s, [[ester]]s, and [[acid]]s, especially [[benzoic acid]]. [[Carabidae|Carabids]] typically produce [[carboxylic acid]]s, particularly [[formic acid]], [[methacrylic acid]], and [[tiglic acid]], but also [[aliphatic ketone]]s, [[saturated ester]]s, [[phenol]]s, aromatic aldehydes, and [[quinone]]s. [[Glossary of entomology terms|Accessory glands]] or modified structures are present in some taxa: the [[Dytiscidae]] and [[Hygrobiidae]] also possess paired [[prothorax|prothoracic]] glands secreting [[steroid]]s; and the Gyrinidae are unique in the extended shape of the external opening of the pygidial gland. The function of many compounds remain unknown, yet several hypotheses have been advanced: *As [[toxin]]s or deterrent against [[predator]]s; some compounds indirectly play this role by easing the penetration of the deterrent into the predator's [[integument]]. *[[Antimicrobial]] and [[Fungicide|antifungal]] agents (especially in Hydradephaga) *A means to increase [[Wetting|wettability]] of the integument (especially in Hydradephaga) *Alarm [[pheromone]]s (especially in Gyrinidae) *Propellant on water surfaces (especially in Gyrinidae) *Conditioning plant tissues associated with [[oviposition]]
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