Sticky secretion from two pairs of defensive glands of rove beetle Deleaster dichrous (Grav.) (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae): gland morphology, chemical constituents, defensive functions, and chemotaxonomy

The phylogenetically primitive rove beetle Deleaster dichrous (Grav.) (Oxytelinae) has been shown for the first time to possess two pairs of neighboring abdominal glands which are depleted simultaneously on molestation. The morphology of these glands is described. The defensive consituents of the Deleaster glands were elucidated. The paired whitish glands secrete iridodial, which polymerizes on exposure to air to form an adhesive that probably deters small predatory arthropods.