Fire ant venoms: Comparative analyses of alkaloidal components

Brand, J. M.; Blum, Murray S.; Fales, Henry M.; MacConnell, John G.

doi:10.1016/0041-0101(72)90011-6

Cited by 162 publications

(110 citation statements)

References 9 publications

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“…The alkaloids from imported fire ants have an alkenyl substituent in the 6 position and a trans configuration about the ring, while those from the native North American fire ants have alkyl substituents and are both eis and trans about the ring (9). Other South American species have venom alkaloids similar to S. invicta and S. richteri with alkenyl groups and trans configuration (53).…”

Section: Fire Ant Venommentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Approximately 90-95% of fire ant venom consists of water-insoluble 2,6-disubstituted piperidine alkaloids (4,9). The alkaloids from imported fire ants have an alkenyl substituent in the 6 position and a trans configuration about the ring, while those from the native North American fire ants have alkyl substituents and are both eis and trans about the ring (9).…”

Section: Fire Ant Venommentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The original method used for obtaining venom for studies of the organic phase (9) and preliminary studies of the aqueous phase (4) was to have the ants sting into microcapillary tubes. One end ofthe tube was sealed, and the tube was then centrifuged to separate the phases.…”

Section: Fire Ant Venommentioning

confidence: 99%

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Fire ant venom allergy

1995

Allergy

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Section: Fire Ant Venommentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Fire Ant Venommentioning

confidence: 99%

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Fire ant venom allergy

1995

Allergy

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“…Milking venom into a capillary tube placed on the sting was first described by Blum et al (1958), and later widely used in obtaining pure venom for compositional analyses or bioassays (MacConnell et al 1970;1971;Brand et al 1972Brand et al , 1973bMacConnell et al 1976;Blum 1992;Greenberg et al 2008;Lai et al 2008Lai et al , 2009Lai et al , 2012. In this way, milligram quantities of pure venom can be obtained for direct use.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Lethality of Red Imported Fire Ant Venom to Argentine Ants and Other Ant Species

Greenberg¹,

Kabashima²,

Allison³

et al. 2008

Annals of the Entomological Society of America

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Using natural venom collected from the red imported fire ant, Solenopsis invicta Buren, we determined the dose of venom necessary to kill 50% of the workers (LD50) of Argentine ants, Linepithema humile (Mayr), and several other ant species that the fire ant may encounter in California. Of the species tested, the Argentine ant was most susceptible to the venom. On a weight-adjusted basis the red imported fire ant was 330 times more resistant to the venom than the Argentine ant. In addition, the native southern fire ant, Solenopsis xyloni McCook, was significantly more susceptible to the venom than S. invicta. Formica perpilosa Wheeler was most resistant to the venom when the LD50 was not adjusted for weight, requiring a dose 684 times higher than that of the Argentine ant. When we tested synthetic venom (solenopsin A, which is the main component of S. xyloni venom) against the Argentine ant, the LD50 value was unchanged. However, both S. invicta and S. xyloni were ≈6 times more susceptible to the synthetic compound than to natural venom. Therefore, S. invicta venom is less toxic to fire ants while being just as toxic to Argentine ants as the simpler, more primitive venom of S. xyloni. Fire ant gaster flagging and venom dabbing applies enough venom to the Argentine ant to be lethal and may help explain the superior interference competition shown by the red imported fire ant.

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“…The composition of fire ant venom is complex and includes water insoluble piperidine alkaloids responsible for the local reaction at the sting site, 7 and several allergenic proteins. 4 Despite their small bodies, the fire ants may be as dangerous as bees and wasps, since their venom has similar antigenic properties.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%