Actinidine is an iridoid produced in nature by a wide variety of plants and animals.

[2] It is one of several compounds that may be extracted from the valerian (Valeriana officinalis) root[3] and silver vine (Actinidia polygama), as well as several types of insects in the larval and imaginal stages.

[4] Actinidine is a cat attractant, with effects like those of nepetalactone, the active compound found in catnip.

[5] Certain species of stick insects, including Megacrania batesii and Megacrania tsudai, possess a chemical defense mechanism which involves the secretion of an actinidine-containing substance from the prothoracic glands, when threatened by a predator.

[6] A potential biosynthesis of actinidine from L-citronellal is shown below.