Composition and antimicrobial activity of fatty acids detected in the hygroscopic secretion collected from the secretory setae of larvae of the biting midge Forcipomyia nigra (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae)

► Secretory setae of the larvae Forcipomyia nigra produce viscous secretion. ► Secretion contains fatty acids, glycerol and pyroglutamic acids. ► 18:1, 16:1, 16:0 and 18:2 are the most abundant fatty acids. ► Majority of fatty acids and pyroglutamic acid have antimicrobial activity. ► Secretion covers larval body and protects F. nigra against infection.