The compound was found in propolis produced by the native stingless bee Tetragonula carbonaria, a black insect up to four millimeters long sometimes mistaken for a fly.

Propolis is a sticky mix of plant resins, beeswax, essential oils and pollen. It can be scraped from hives by beekeepers.

Stingless bees, commonly known as sugarbag bees, use propolis for their nest construction, predator deterrence and protection against bee pathogens.