[1] The alkaloid is released from the joints in C. septempunctata legs when it is provoked to deter predators such as ants or birds.

[2][3] It binds to both insect and mammalian nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, giving it use as an insecticide or as a therapy to treat drug dependence.

[4][5] It was determined that precoccinelline is produced de novo in the C. septempunctata as their diet, which is composed of aphids, does not contain this alkaloid.

Treatment of the acetal with phenyl-lithium and then adding an ethereal solution of acetonitrile produces the crude ketone (3), followed by immediate transformation into the diacetal (4).

[7] Targeting nAChRs has several implications including developing insecticides and modulating drug dependence relating to the reward pathway in the brain.