Decyl Decanoate: A Major Component of the Tergite Glands of Honeybee Queens (Apis MelliferaL.)

Abstract
Decyl decanoate and longer chain-length esters of decanoic acid were dominant components of the extracts of abdominal tergite glands of virgin honeybee queens, 3–10 days old. The esters were either absent or else present in very small amounts in queens which were 0–2 days old. The cuticular lipids of honeybee queens were predominantly n-alkanes and alkenes with n-heptacosane and hentriacontene being major components.