Defensive role of tropical tree resins: antitermitic sesquiterpenes from Southeast Asian Dipterocarpaceae

J Chem Ecol. 1990 Dec;16(12):3333-52. doi: 10.1007/BF00982102.

Abstract

Chemical components demonstrating antiinsectan properties were isolated and identified from crude resins of fourDipterocarpus species. The most active compounds against Southeast Asian termites (Neotermes spp.) proved to be alloaromadendrene, humulene, and caryophyllene. These results suggest that these sesquiterpenes, which occur in many dipterocarps, play an important role in defense against insects.