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Actinidine is an iridoid produced in nature by a wide variety of plants and animals. It was the first cyclopentanoid monoterpene alkaloid to be discovered. It is one of several compounds that may be extracted from the valerian ( Valeriana officinalis) root and silver vine ( Actinidia polygama), as well as several types of insects in the larva and imago stages. Actinidine is a cat attractant, with effects like those of nepetalactone, the active compound found in catnip.
Certain species of Phasmatodea, including Megacrania batesii and Megacrania tsudai, possess a chemical defense mechanism which involves the secretion of an actinidine-containing substance from the prothorax glands, when threatened by a predator.
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