Answers are grounded in this paper and cite their sources.
The defensive glands of Helluomorphoides ferrugincus (LeConte) and H. latitarsis (Casey) secrete a mixture of formic acid and n-nonyl acetate. The secretion is ejected as an aimed spray. Experimental evidence indicates that the defensive effectiveness of the spray would be considerably lessened in the absence of the ester.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Eisner et al. (1968) studied this question.
Synapse has enriched 10 related papers. Consider them for comparative context: