Note to users. If you're seeing this message, it means that your browser cannot find this page's style/presentation instructions -- or possibly that you are using a browser that does not support current Web standards. Find out more about why this message is appearing, and what you can do to make your experience of our site the best it can be.

Science 2 June 1978:
Vol. 200. no. 4345, pp. 1064 - 1066
DOI: 10.1126/science.653354
Prev | Table of Contents | Next

Articles

Science, Vol 200, Issue 4345, 1064-1066
Copyright © 1978 by American Association for the Advancement of Science

articles

A harvester ant venom: chemistry and pharmacology

JO Schmidt and MS Blum

The mammalian toxicity of the potently algogenic venom of the ant Pogonomyrmex badius is greater than that reported for any other insect venom. This enzyme-rich venom contains high concentrations of phospholipase A2 and B, hyaluronidase, acid phosphatase, lipase, and esterases. This hemolytic secretion from the poison gland products unusual symptoms in mammals and appears to have been evolved as a deterrent for vertebrate predators.




To Advertise     Find Products

Science. ISSN 0036-8075 (print), 1095-9203 (online)