Insects

ANTS

Unlike the rest of the world, in Australia the main problem ants are not fire ants but rather the large and infamous bulldog and jumper ants. These 2 centimetre ants have an extremely painful sting. One sting sends waves of pain coursing through the body and lasts several days. As few as 30 can kill a man

Myrmecia gulosa (bulldog ant)

Results indicate that the venom contains histamine-like activity. In addition the venom has been found to cause the release of cyclooxygenase products and to contain a heat-sensitive haemolytic factor. No evidence has indicated that the venom contains acetylcholine, bradykinin, or 5-hydroxytryptamine or that the venom releases histamine from guinea-pig ileum.

(Myrmecia pilosula and pyriformis) jumper ants

Both venoms contain phospholipase A2, phospholipase B, hyaluronidase, acid phosphatase and alkaline phosphatase activities. Myrmecia pyriformis venom had significantly greater phospholipase B, acid phosphatase and alkaline phosphatase activities than Myrmecia pilosula venom. No detectable quantities of phospholipase C, esterase or phosphodiesterase activities were found in either venom.

BEES

Apis mellifera (honeybee)

Two main venom components have been isolated from bee venom: apamin and melittin. Melittin is a cytotoxic peptide that lyses both mammalian and bacterial membranes while apamin is a neurotoxic peptide that blocks small conductance Ca(2+)-activated K+ channels in central synapses and peripheral tissues. However, the life threatening effect comes from IgE mediated anaphylactic shock rather than direct venom action.

Publications relating to Apis or Myrmecia species

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