"Though mint may remind us of a relaxing cup of herbal tea, to predators, it's a noxious smell and irritating chemical. If an animal gets hit in the eyes, mouth, or antennae, it'll burn or disorient them. This defense is so critical to their survival that newly hatched Peppermint sticks - called nymphs - are able to spray immediately, before they even take their first bite of food."
"The plant and insect have evolved together over millions of years. More than just food, the plants give them what they need to make actinidine, the active ingredient in their defensive spray. You'll find them in the Daintree Rainforest in Northeastern Australia - the oldest tropical rainforest in the world. A living Jurassic Park. It's more than twice as old as the Amazon."
Peppermint stick insects use a mint-derived chemical defense that burns and disorients predators when it contacts eyes, mouth, or antennae. Newly hatched nymphs can spray immediately because mothers transfer defensive chemicals into each egg. Wild peppermint sticks live and feed on Pandanus plants, which provide the precursors to synthesize actinidine, the active ingredient in their spray. They inhabit the ancient Daintree Rainforest in northeastern Australia. Tiny green tree ants are major predators and can counterattack with toxic formic acid. Chemical warfare occurs: the stick insect's pepperminty spray overloads ant olfaction, allowing escape, and juveniles can regrow lost legs during molts.
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