Schmidt]. It is also confounded by responses to the venom that are due to immune system disorders (such as hypersensitivity and allergies). Table 1 lists the LD50 values for some of these insects that are known to most people, such as the honey bee, paper wasp, yellowjacket, velvet ant and harvester ants. Hymenopteran insects possess the most toxic venoms that have been characterized (Schmidt 1990; J.O. A wire story ("Killer Caterpillars," Gainesville Sun, January 16, 1996) apparently was widely distributed in newspapers and generated some discussion on the bulletin board. 1989). This applies regardless of whether or not the animal is current on rabies vaccination. 1914: New and little known harvesting ants of the genus . Likewise, the perception of the toxicity or danger may be artificially inflated when death of humans or other vertebrates is the result of envenomation (Schmidt 1986b). Insects in the order Hymenoptera were recorded as early as the 26th century BC as possessing a venom toxic to vertebrates. The most toxic venom is found in a species of harvester ant, Pogonomyrmex maricopa with a mouse LD50 value of 0.12 mg/kg (Schmidt et al. LD50 values provide an unbiased method of comparing insect venoms. If the animal shows any suspicious and progressive signs and symptoms during the quarantine - MCDPH staff should be notified by veterinarians and/or animal control staff. Pogonomyrmex (sensu stricto) workers have the most toxic venom documented in any insects, with Pogonomyrmex maricopa being the most toxic tested thus far. While there are 22 species of harveste… Subphylum: Hexapoda To keep us in-the-loop on any pet or other animal disease situation that may have zoonotic disease potential-this includes mammals, birds, reptiles, etc. Superfamilia: Formicoidea, Familia: Formicidae Report all dog and cat bites to your appropriate municipal animal control office. Harvester ants in the genus Pogonomyrmex have the most toxic venom based on mice LD50 values, with P. maricopa venom being the most toxic. Regnum: Animalia The workers of this population have either an unarmed epinotum or one with angles or short spines, as do also the types of maricopa from Alamogordo, New Mexico (Pl. Subscribing to the Entomo-L Listserv and posting a general inquiry about insect venoms was the most profitable first step in obtaining information about venomous insect species. © Copyright 1996 W.L. Venomous insects are known from the orders Lepidoptera, Hemiptera, and Hymenoptera (Blum 1981). Cladus: Eumetabola This chapter may be freely reproduced and distributed for noncommercial purposes. This page was last edited on 20 December 2019, at 06:38. Personal interviews with University of Florida and USDA-ARS staff provided often colorful information on people's "favorite" stinging bug. I thank Dr. Justin Schmidt (Southwestern Biological Institute, Tucson, AZ) for his suggestions on the most toxic insect, for providing a photograph, and for insights into the literature. The LD50 for Pogonomyrmex maricopa is.12 mg / kg - making this venom lethal enough to kill a mouse with a few stings, or a 2 kg / 4.4 lb rat with just 12 stings. Schmidt (1986a) states that for a 2 kg mammal only 12 stings are required to reach the LD50 dose. Meyer. Insects suggested included harvester ants (Pogonomyrmex; Hymenoptera: Formicidae), bees (Hymenoptera: Apidae), yellowjackets and hornets (Vespula, Dolichovespula; Hymenoptera: Vespidae), velvet ants (Hymenoptera: Mutillidae), puss caterpillars (Megalopyge opercularis; Lepidoptera: Megalopygidae), slug caterpillars (Sibene stimulea; Lepidoptera: Limacodidae), giant silkworm moth caterpillars (Lonomia sp. Subregnum: Eumetazoa Subscribing to the Entomo-L Listserv and posting a general inquiry about insect venoms was the most profitable first step in obtaining information about venomous insect species. I will base my selection of the species of insect with the most toxic venom to vertebrates based on LD50 values using mice as the test organism. W.L. Adult worker of Pogonomyrmex sp. Genus: Pogonomyrmex Although cross-reactivity to honey bee and wasp venoms may be involved in the response of humans to Pogonomyrmex envenomation, in those cases that have been studied cross-reactions to vespid and formicid venoms have not been found (Schmidt 1986b). Meyer Superordo: Hymenopterida But maricopa s. l.exhibits a considerable degree of intraspecific variation. When deciding if post exposure rabies prophylaxis (PEP) is warranted for a bite victim. 11). (Waddell 1930). There were numerous insects suggested for the most toxic insect from personal interviews and the Entomo-L bulletin board replies, many of which were based on personal experience and descriptions of the reaction to being envenomed. [Photo courtesty of J.O. For example, the LD50 value of P. maricopa venom against a lizard, Phrynosoma cornutum, which is a predator of P. maricopa, was much higher than in mice (162 mg/kg). However unpleasant the experience of being "stung" by ants, bees, wasps, and assassin bugs is, it is difficult to quantify pain responses objectively. May 1, 1996. The values obtained in mice reveal a relative toxicity scale for different toxins in mice only. Classis: Insecta Superregnum: Eukaryota When Pogonomyrmex Maricopa strikes its prey, it produces a pheromone that attracts other members of the colony. Infraclassis: Neoptera Other species of Pogonomyrmex also produce venoms with low LD50 values when compared with other Hymenoptera (Table 1). A venom is a toxin that is injected into another organism using a specialized apparatus attached to a venom-producing gland. It has an LD 50 of only 0.12 mg/kg, compared to western honey bee venom, at 2.8 mg/kg, and comparable to cobra venom. ; Hemiptera: Reduviidae). I also thank Dr. Thomas Walker (University of Florida, Gainesville), Dr. Antonio CastiZeiras and Adrian Hunsberger, (University of Florida, Homestead), and Dr. Nancy Epsky (USDA-ARS, Gainesville) for critical reviews of the manuscript. Ordo: Hymenoptera If you believe you need a rabies assessment call the Maricopa County Department of Public Health at 602-747-7500 (24 hours a day). This may also encompass alkaloids, terpenes, polysaccharides, biogenic amines, and … and Automeris io; Lepidoptera: Saturniidae) and assassin bugs (Rasahus sp. Cladus: Metapterygota Searches on the WebLUIS Search System for information on literature in the University of Florida libraries retrieved some secondary literature such as the book by Blum (1981). The typical form is abundant in southern New Mexico. Department of Entomology & Nematology Interestingly, the venom of P. badius is not particularly lethal against larval insects (Schmidt & Blum 1978b). When one other lizard, Sceloporus jarrovii, was tested, the venom had an LD50 value of 28 mg/kg. Comparing LD50 values of a test organism (in this case, mice) can be a useful tool to objectively assess the toxicity of insect venoms; however, this method has its limitations. Subordo: Apocrita University of Florida, Gainesville, FL  32611-0620 When requesting lab testing, or deciding whether a lab test is needed (MCDPH staff have to triage all lab testing requests occurring within Maricopa County). Municipal Animal Control Offices Please report all dog and cat bites to the appropriate municipal animal control office. Schmidt personal communication). Cladus: Ecdysozoa These results suggest that P. cornutum has evolved resistance to the harvester ant venoms and can exploit the ants as a food resource (Schmidt et al. Subfamilia: Myrmicinae Tribus: Pogonomyrmecini Cladus: Protostomia Primary literature was identified using references obtained through Entomo-L replies and also by searching the AGRICOLA, Current Contents, and MEDLINE data bases available at University of Florida. Since harvester ants are non-predatory, it suggests that their venom has evolved from being used in prey capture as in other ant species (Schmidt 1986a), to defense against vertebrates; hence their power against humans and other vertebrates. The method of delivery may be active, such as the sting apparatus of Hymenoptera (bees and wasps), and the mouthparts of Hemiptera (stylets), or passive such as the modified setae in some lepidopteran larvae (caterpillars) that are broken on contact and pierce the outer surface of the receiving organism. In humans, a Pogonomyrmex sting produces intense pain that can last up to four hours. Avondale PD/Animal Control, Phone: 623-333-7345, Peoria PD/Animal Control, Phone: 623-773-8311, Surprise PD/Animal Control, Phone: 623-222-4000, Wickenburg PD/Animal Control, Phone: 928-684-5411. Cladus: Panarthropoda Subclassis: Pterygota They do not reflect how the same toxins would rank for another species (such as humans). P.maricopa is usually cited as having the most powerful venom in the insect world. Searches on the WebL… sting produces intense pain in humans that lasts up to 4 hours. Suggestions from two anonymous reviewers also improved the manuscript. Where it does occur, the ant nest is readily visible as a large cleared area with a number of slow moving individuals on the surface near the nest. The most potent venom likely belongs to the Maricopa harvester ant (Pogonomyrmex maricopa), which can kill a human with about 350 stings, but is … Cladus: Dicondylia Venoms are chemically described as consisting of alkaloids, terpenes, polysaccharides, biogenic amines (such as histamine), organic acids (formic acid), and amino acids, but the majority are peptides and proteins (Schmidt 1986a; Blum 1981). Schmidt personal communication).

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