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The toxicology of fire ant venom is relatively well studied. The venom plays a central role in the biology of Red imported fire ants , such as in capturing prey, [ 1 ] and in defending itself from competitors, [ 2 ] assailants, [ 3 ] and diseases. [ 4 ]
Solenopsin is a lipophilic alkaloid with the molecular formula C 17 H 35 N found in the venom of fire ants (Solenopsis). It is considered the primary toxin in the venom [2] and may be the component responsible for the cardiorespiratory failure in people who experience excessive fire ant stings. [3]
Typically, a fire ant queen will seek to establish a new colony following a nuptial flight, wherein it will use its special venom to paralyze offending competitors, [17] in the absence of workers for defense. Fire ant queens may live up to seven years and can produce up to 1,600 eggs per day, and colonies will have as many as 250,000 workers.
Mirex is a stomach insecticide, meaning that it must be ingested by the organism in order to poison it. The insecticidal use was focused on Southeastern United States to control fire ants. Approximately 250,000 kg of mirex were applied to fields between 1962 and 1975 (US NRC, 1978).
The venom from an ant's sting can "cause painful pustules on the skin, and can be particularly dangerous, even fatal, to sensitive groups or those with an allergy to the venom."
In the case of fire ants, the venom consists mainly of alkaloid (>95%) and protein (<1%) components. [2] Stinging ants cause a cutaneous condition that is different from that caused by biting venomous ants. Particularly painful are stings from fire ants, although the bullet ant's sting is considered by some to be the most painful insect sting.
Venom released from the ants' stings can cause "painful pustules on the skin, and can be particularly dangerous, even fatal, to sensitive groups or those with an allergy to the venom," officials ...
Venom from the bite of a sterile female fire ant typically causes painful red bumps with white pustules on the skin of its victim. It may also cause severe allergic reactions such as anaphylaxis which can lead to death. First aid includes external treatments of topical steroid cream and oral medicines of antihistamines. [34]