Ethyl decanoate as a major component in the defensive secretion of two new zealand aleocharine (staphylinidae) beetles-Tramiathaea cornigera (broun) andThamiaraea fuscicornis (broun).

The defensive secretions of bothTramiathaea cornigera andThamiaraea fuscicornis contain undecane, toluquinone, ethyl decanoate and smaller amounts of other esters. The presence of esters particularly ethyl decanoate as a major component sets these two beetles apart chemically not only among the staphylinids but also within the subfamily Aleocharinae.