Compound Interest - The Chemical Compositions of Insect Venoms The Chemical Compositions of Insect Venoms Click to enlarge Insect venoms are complicated. Really complicated. You could be forgiven for thinking that it must be a relatively simple company of chemicals that makes up the painful sensation of a bee or wasp sting, but in fact a hugely complex mixture of all sorts of compounds – proteins, peptides, enzymes, and other smaller molecules – go into a small amount of venom. The range of compounds is far too vast to detail every single one – but we can examine some of the major constituents in bee, wasp, hornet and ant venom. We’ll start with the venom about which we know the most – that of bees. Unlike many other insect venoms, we have a relatively good idea of the percentage breakdown of the venom of your average bee. When the bee stings, the venom is mixed with water, so the actual composition of the substance it injects into you is around 88% water and 12% venom. From this point onward, we’ll consider the percentages of compounds purely in the venom itself. The main toxic component of bee venom, also referred to as apitoxin, is melittin.

Melittin is a peptide that comprises around 50-55% of dry venom, and is a compound that can break up cell membranes, resulting in the destruction of cells. However, it’s not considered the most harmful component of bee venom; that prize goes to an enzyme that makes up around 10-12%, phospholipase A. This enzyme destroys phospholipids, and also breaks down the membranes of blood cells, resulting in cell destruction; additionally, unlike the majority of larger molecules in the venom, it causes the release of pain-inducing agents. Yet another enzyme, hyaluronidase, aids the action of the venom by catalysing the breakdown of protein-polysaccharide complexes in tissue, allowing the venom to penetrate further into the flesh. Other, smaller molecules can also contribute towards painful effects. A small amount of histamine is found in bee venom; histamine is one of the compounds released by the body during the allergic response, and can cause itchiness and inflammation. The proteins in the sting can cause an allergic reaction, leading to the release of even more histamine, and possible anaphylaxis.

MCD peptide, another minor component of the venom, can also cause mast cells in the body to release more histamine, worsening inflammation. The precise composition of wasp and hornet venom isn’t as well known as that of bees, but we still have a decent idea of what the major components are. The peptides that are found in the venoms are termed ‘wasp kinin’ and ‘hornet kinin’ respectively; these aren’t as well characterised as the peptides in bee venom, however. Like bee venom, they also contain phospholipase A, the enzyme hyaluronidase, and histamine. There are, though, some differences in the chemical composition. As well as variations in percentages of the different components, they also contain the compound acetylcholine, not commonly found in bee venoms. Acetylcholine is actually a neurotransmitter that’s also produced in our bodies, but in wasp and hornet venom, it helps stimulate pain receptors, heightening the pain felt from the sting and venom. Hornet venoms contain particularly high levels of acetylcholine.

You might have been told back in your science classes that bee stings are acidic, and can be neutralised with an alkali, whilst wasp stings are alkaline, and can therefore be neutralised with an acid. Sadly, this is something of an over-simplification. Whilst it’s correct that bee venom has some acidic components, whilst wasp venom has some alkaline constituents, the venom quickly penetrates the tissue once you’ve been stung. Therefore, topical application of an acid or alkali to the sting area is unlikely to provide relief. Additionally, since the venom is such a complex mix of components, many of which have contributing effects, it’s unlikely that neutralising a small number of these components would relieve the pain. What might have some effect, however, is anti-histamine cream, which can help prevent further inflammation. Whilst there is, of course, variation in venoms between different species of bees, wasps, and hornets, in ants this is markedly the case. The venom of some ants contains very little protein and peptide content, and is composed instead mainly of smaller compounds. An example is that of the fire ant.

Fire ant venom consists of only around 0.1% of the dry venom, with the vast majority instead consisting of a class of compounds called alkaloids; these alkaloids are toxic to cells, and result in a burning sensation. Although the protein content is much lower than that of bees, wasps, and hornets, it can also cause allergic reactions and anaphylaxis. Other ants don’t sting, but can instead spray their venoms; amongst many the main constituent of venom is formic acid. This leads us to a chemical reaction that is worth talking about. As it turns out, as unpleasant as the venom of the fire ants is, they meet their match in another species of ant, the ‘tawny crazy ant’. These two warring species of ants both make use of their venoms in conflict, but the tawny crazy ant uses chemistry to gain a clear advantage. They combat the toxicity of fire ant venom by detoxifying it with their own, which is based on formic acid. Researchers still don’t fully understand precisely how the detoxification occurs, but suggest it might be the result of the formic acid neutralising the enzymes that aid in fire ant venom’s potency.

Even more interestingly, this detoxification process forms an ionic liquid at ambient temperature , a phenomenon that had not previously been observed in nature. A final word on venoms goes to a component that is present in all four of the venoms we’ve considered: alarm pheromones. As if being stung by a bee or hornet wasn’t bad enough, the pheromones contained in the venom (which tend to be a complex mix of volatile low molecular weight compounds) signal to other members of the same species to take defensive action. In plain English, a wasp stinging you signals to other wasps that they should grab a piece of the action too. Apparently, the odour of the bee pheromone is reminiscent of bananas, though it’s probably not a theory you want to investigate. EDIT: Bonus graphic! This one looks at the Schmidt Pain Index, developed by entomologist Dr. Justin Schmidt to rank the pain of the various insect stings and bites he experienced as part of his work. Whilst both the pain of a sting and its duration is subjective, and these rankings therefore may not hold true for everyone, it’s still an interesting ranking to look at.

If there’s one thing that’s apparent from this graphic, it’s ‘never get stung by a bullet ant’! click to enlarge Formic acid - YouTube Formic acid Want to watch this again later? Sign in to add this video to a playlist. Need to report the video? Sign in to report inappropriate content. The interactive transcript could not be loaded. Loading... Rating is available when the video has been rented. This feature is not available right now. Please try again later. Published on Jul 24, 2014 Formic acid (systematically called methanoic acid) is the simplest carboxylic acid. Its chemical formula is HCOOH or HCO2H. It is an important intermediate in chemical synthesis and occurs naturally, most notably in ant venom. Its name comes from the Latin word for ant, formica, referring to its early isolation by the distillation of ant bodies. Esters, salts, and the anions derived from formic acid are referred to as formates. This video is targeted to blind users.

Attribution: Article text available under CC-BY-SA Creative Commons image source in video Category Chapter 23: Most Toxic Insect Venom | The University of Florida Book of Insect Records | Department of Entomology & Nematology | UF/IFAS Chapter 23: Most Toxic Insect Venom W.L. Meyer University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611-0620 May 1, 1996 Download and print Chapter 23: Most Toxic Insect Venom [32kb pdf] Insects in the order Hymenoptera were recorded as early as the 26th century BC as possessing a venom toxic to vertebrates. Harvester ants in the genus Pogonomyrmex have the most toxic venom based on mice LD50 values, with P. maricopa venom being the most toxic. The LD50 value for this species is 0.12 mg/kg injected intravenously in mice, equivalent to 12 stings killing a 2 kg (4.4 lb) rat. A Pogonomyrmex sp. sting produces intense pain in humans that lasts up to 4 hours.

A venom is a toxin that is injected into another organism using a specialized apparatus attached to a venom-producing gland. It may be used to immobilize or kill prey and/or to defend the delivering organism against attack by predators. Venomous insects are known from the orders Lepidoptera, Hemiptera, and Hymenoptera (Blum 1981) . 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. Schmidt (1982) proposed that some insects in the orders Diptera, Neuroptera, and Coleoptera also possess oral venoms, but there is a problem with whether this constitutes a true venom or is a digestive fluid that is ejected. The biological activity of the venom can be classified as neurotoxic, hemolytic, digestive, hemorrhagic and algogenic (pain-producing).

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 ). The first record of human death attributed to envenomation by a wasp or hornet was that of King Menes of Egypt in the 26th century B.C. ( Waddell 1930 ). Toxicity of venoms is difficult to quantify in an unbiased manner and will vary among target species. It is also confounded by responses to the venom that are due to immune system disorders (such as hypersensitivity and allergies). For this reason, morbidity and mortality data may not be the best comparative method to classify venom toxicity (Schmidt 1986b) . 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.

Methods 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. Personal interviews with University of Florida and USDA-ARS staff provided often colorful information on people's "favorite" stinging bug. A wire story ("Killer Caterpillars," Gainesville Sun, January 16, 1996) apparently was widely distributed in newspapers and generated some discussion on the bulletin board. 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) . 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. Results 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.

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. and Automeris io; Lepidoptera: Saturniidae) and assassin bugs (Rasahus sp.; Hemiptera: Reduviidae). However unpleasant the experience of being "stung" by ants, bees, wasps, and assassin bugs is, it is difficult to quantify pain responses objectively. 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) .

LD50 values provide an unbiased method of comparing insect venoms. Adult worker of Pogonomyrmex sp. [Photo courtesty of J.O. Schmidt]. Hymenopteran insects possess the most toxic venoms that have been characterized ( Schmidt 1990 ; J.O. Schmidt personal communication). 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. 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. 1989; J.O. Schmidt personal communication). Schmidt (1986a) states that for a 2 kg mammal only 12 stings are required to reach the LD50 dose. Other species of Pogonomyrmex also produce venoms with low LD50 values when compared with other Hymenoptera ( Table 1 ).

Discussion 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. The values obtained in mice reveal a relative toxicity scale for different toxins in mice only. They do not reflect how the same toxins would rank for another species (such as humans). 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). When one other lizard, Sceloporus jarrovii, was tested, the venom had an LD50 value of 28 mg/kg. 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. 1989) . In another species of harvester ant, P. badius, there were high levels of an enzyme, phospholipase A2, which is also present in honey bee and wasp venoms (Schmidt & Blum 1978a) .

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) . Interestingly, the venom of P. badius is not particularly lethal against larval insects (Schmidt & Blum 1978b) . 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. Acknowledgments 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. 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.

Suggestions from two anonymous reviewers also improved the manuscript. Table 1 LD50 values in mice for toxins found in Hymenoptera. Family * Average of 20 species tested. References Cited Blum, M.S. 1981. Chemical defenses in arthropods. Academic Press. New York. [562 p.]. Cohen, S.G. & P.J. Bianchine. 1995. Hymenoptera, hypersensitivity, and history: a prologue to current day concepts and practices in the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of insect sting allergy. Ann. Allergy Asthma Immunol. 74: 198-217. Schmidt, J.O. 1982. Biochemistry of insect venoms. Annu. Rev. Entomol. 27: 339-368. Schmidt, J.O. 1986a. Chemistry, pharmacology and chemical ecology of ant venoms, pp. 425-508. In T. Piek [ed.], Venoms of the hymenoptera. Academic Press, London. Schmidt, J.O.

1986b. Allergy to hymenopteran venoms, pp. 509-546. In T. Piek [ed.], Venoms of the hymenoptera. Academic Press, London. Schmidt, J.O. 1990. Hymenopteran venoms: Striving towards the ultimate defense against vertebrates, pp. 387-419. In D. L. Evans & J.O. Schmidt [eds.], Insect defenses: adaptive mechanisms and strategies of prey and predators. SUNY Press, Albany, NY. Schmidt, J.O. & M.S. Blum. 1978a. The biochemical constituents of the venom of the harvester ant, Pogonomyrmex badius. Comp. Biochem. Physiol. 61C: 239-247. Schmidt, J.O. & M.S. Blum. 1978b. Pharmacological and toxicological properties of the harvester ant, Pogonomyrmex badius, venom. Toxicon 16: 645-651.

Schmidt, J.O., M.S. Blum, & W.L. Overal. 1980. Comparative lethality of venoms from stinging Hymenoptera. Toxicon 18: 469-474. Schmidt, P.J., W.C. Sherbrooke, & J.O. Schmidt. 1989. The detoxification of ant (Pogonomyrmex) venom by a blood factor in horned lizards (Phrynosoma). Copeia 1989: 603-607. Waddell, L.A. 1930. Egyptian civilization. Summerian origin and real chronology. Luzac, London. [pp. 60-71]. [Not seen, cited in Cohen & Bianchine 1995, p. 201]. Bee stings - acid or alkali? - Insect Stings Bee stings – acid or alkali? Does neutralising their pH give sting relief? the answer!

Every year I have lots of people ask me this question (especially younger visitors doing certain science courses and exams across the world) and so I have decided to make this a special one-off web page on this subject! The claims that have become popular on a number of examination courses around the world are that: 1. Wasp sting venom is alkaline and so its effects can be neutralised with vinegar or acid and this neutralisationthen reduces the pain. 2. Bee sting venom is acidic and so its effects can be neutralised with bicarbonate of soda or alkali and this reaction reduces the pain. Are either of these statements true? The facts are that: Bee venom contains formic acid (also known as methanoic acid) but this is not the single active ingredient that causes the pain from a bee sting Wasp stings are alkali but once again the venom has so many active ingredients that it is very unlikely that it is the alkali alone that is the single active ingredient that causes the pain Neutralising a sting with either vinegar or bicarbonate of soda is unlikely to be effective or even practically possible because: 1) The venom from wasps and bees is injected under the skin and after a few minutes spreads deep into the tissues.

Sloshing unknown strength vinegar or bicarbonate of soda onto the skin surface is unlikely to even get near the venom so no “neutralisation” is likely to take place anyway. 2) A wasp or bee sting is between 5 and 50 micrograms of fluid – this is a tiny amount of fluid – a little pinhead or the size of this full stop . – and it is hard to believe how pouring comparatively huge volumes of unknown strength vinegar or rubbing lumps of bicarbonate of soda near the venom of unknown pH is going to produce a perfectly neutral pH which neutralises the sting and stops it hurting. So, I confidently state that vinegar and bicarbonate of soda (or at least their acidity or alkalinity) have no real physical effect on how much a sting hurts or continues hurting. I would also add that rubbing a wound distracts the mind from the immediate pain and rubbing a wound with anything safe promotes the release of endorphins which may reduce the pain, if you believe something is going to work, then it often will because the mind can play curious tricks!

There are plenty of very subjective but genuine and honest claims for the following treatments: applying meat tenderizer, applying papain (latex from the papaya tree) applying mashed up root of pineapple applying chilli paste applying Mum roll on deoderant, applying mint leaves applying four types of grass applying clay paste, and squeezing the sting with a clothes peg for 20 minutes applying a paste of green clay applying hot water to coagulate the venom applying lavendar oil applying Sudocrem to sting site applying a slice of raw onion applying aluminium sulphate applying ice and cold water apply hot or near boiling water applying plantain leaves mixed with saliva as a poultice applying charcoal and flaxseed jelly Each of these remedies I am advised have a hugely beneficial effect on insect sting pain. Without wishing to minimise these claims and the genuinely held beliefs of the kind correspondent, the number and variety of these claims give me grounds for considering that human psychology also comes into the whole concept of pain relief. If you believe it reduces pain then it will! It could also be just the application of anything or pressure on the wound. If anyone, young or old.

has something to add on this subject then let me know as I am willing to be corrected as long as there is some scientific evidence somewhere and we get nearer to the truth. It is particularly interesting to note that a recent article in Allergy Magazine reviewed home remedies in Turkey and none of these remedies included treating wasp and bee stings with acid or alkali. The myth of neutralisation of sting venom appears to be limited to English speaking and West European countries primarily.(Prevalence and alternative therapy methods for bee and wasp allergy in Turkey :Van K. Onba, L. Eminbeyli, C. Kaynak Allergy 2008 63:2 246) For the time being, however, I would suggest there is no scientific evidence whatsoever to prove the scientific hypothesis that alkali reduces the pain of bee stings and acid reduces the pain of wasp stings. So, whilst young people should always listen to their teachers if they are to pass their exams, it is only fair to politely challenge the questions sometimes! That is how science progresses and it would be great to be part of that progress on this particular topic!

Any correspondence on this subject would be most welcome – particularly from someone who disagrees with me please! Formic Acid - Uses, Benefits and Side Effects of Formic Acid Organic Acids Formic Acid Formic acid is a chemical that is both naturally occurring and frequently synthesized in laboratories. In nature, it is most commonly found in the bites and stings of insects, namely ants and bees. It is this compound that causes most of the irritation that occurs immediately following an ant bite or a bee sting. Although it can be very dangerous when highly concentrated, formic acid is very frequently used in food products as a preservative or on crops as a pesticide. In its purest form, it has little to no color, and a very strong odor. Despite its natural use as a deterrent for predators, humans have found many practical, everyday uses for this versatile chemical. Uses of Formic Acid Industrial Uses One of the most common industrial uses of formic acid is in the production of leather. Because it is so acidic, formic acid has proven itself to be perfect for use in this fashion. Although formic acid is most frequently used in leather production, other industries currently use formic acid in the process of dyeing and finishing textiles.

It is also commonly used as a coagulant in many rubber manufacturing processes. In addition to its use in the leather, textile and rubber industries, derivatives of formic acid have recently been developed to help fight slippery road conditions in countries such as Austria and Switzerland. These countries, which fight bitter winters and very dangerous roads, are now using formates, which are the salts that are derived from formic acid. Not only are these formates more effective than traditional salt treatments, they are also more environmentally friendly. When used properly, formates can greatly increase the gripping ability of otherwise slick surfaces, as well as promote the removal of these surfaces with machines and other technologies. Agricultural Uses Agriculture accounts for a very high percentage of formic acid use worldwide. Because of its natural antibacterial properties, formic acid has achieved very high use as both an antibacterial preservative and pesticide. In this industry, it is most commonly used as a food additive, and is frequently added to animal feed and silage. When it is used in silage, it serves a dual function.

In addition to providing a certain level of antibacterial support, formic acid actually allows silage to begin fermentation at a lower temperature, greatly reducing the overall time that it takes to produce while increasing the nutritional value of the finished product. Precautions Depending on how concentrated it is, formic acid can either be unnoticeable or very dangerous. Through the course of our typical interaction with this chemical, we are exposed only to very low concentrations. Because of this, there is very little to fear. If exposed at high concentrations, however, there are many dangerous side effects that can occur. The most dangerous aspect of the formic acid is its highly corrosive nature when in a concentrated form. Because it is so corrosive, highly concentrated amounts of formic acid can lead to serious injury if it is inhaled, swallowed or touched directly. This includes ulcers, nausea, burns, blisters and extreme discomfort around the affected area. Although it is not likely except under special situations, high concentrations of formic acid should be avoided altogether. Interesting Facts Because of its versatile role in our lives and in nature, formic acid is a very fascinating substance.

Aside from its practical uses in agriculture, industry and insect protective mechanisms, formic acid also results in some very interesting effects and interactions. Among these is its role in the digestive system of the anteater. In contrast with most mammals, an anteater’s stomach contains no hydrochloric acid, the primary chemical used for digestion in humans. Because of the high concentration of ants in its diets, the anteater derives all of the digestive juices it needs from the formic acid found in the ants that it eats. Though it can be very dangerous at unnaturally high concentrations, formic acid is actually a highly versatile and extremely useful food additive and industrial chemical. When consumed at normal levels, it is very quickly and easily metabolized by our bodies, and eliminated in a safe and healthy manner. Nonetheless, it has been found that ingesting highly concentrated amounts of formic acid can result in kidney and liver damage. As such, it is important to understand both the uses and the dangers of this highly versatile chemical. Other Interesting Stuff... Folic acid is a type of vitamin that is essential for many facets of health, and many people do not get enough. Quality folic acid supplements help to cover the...

There are 23 principal amino acids that work together to build proteins in the body, and without these acids, there are no building blocks for protein. Just a single protein... Acrylic acid is a type of organic compound that is miscible with alcohols, chloroform, water and ethers. Each year, over one billion kilograms of this compound are produced. The liquid... Pantothenic acid is also known as vitamin B5. The human body cannot make pantothenic acid by itself, so we must included it in our diets. It’s becoming increasingly popular as... Hydroxycitric acid is fast gaining a reputation as an effective weight-loss supplement. Results from clinical trials so far are mixed – some studies have found it to be an effective... Whether one knows it or not, it is likely that they have ingested massive amounts of phosphoric acid during their lifetime. Phosphoric acid is actually a very widely-used chemical. How... In our current day and age, there have been all kinds of advertisements stating that they can get someone into the best physical health, mental health, and emotional health that... About Acidpedia Welcome to Acidpedia, a site dedicated filled with information about acids.

Each acid is special in its own way and we are here to tell you about each one. Learn about the uses, benefits and effects of these different types of acids and what they can do for you. Search Formic Acid - Methanoic Acid Suppliers, Traders & Manufacturers Formic Acid Specifications: (Detailed information will get you accurate responses) Please enter Quantity Please select Unit for Quantity Select Unit Provide any specific details about : 'Product/Service required', 'Quality','Standard','Size' etc... Please enter Mobile Number Formic Acid FORMIC ACID Formic acid is the simplest carboxylic acid. Its chemical formula is HCOOH or HCO2H. It is an important intermediate in chemical synthesis and occurs naturally, most notably in ant venom. Kalawad, RajkotPlot No. G-1023, Road 1A, Kishan Gate, GIDC Lodhika, Kalawad Road Metoda, Rajkot- 360021, Gujarat +91-8079466439 Minimum Order Quantity: 21.6 Metric Ton/Metric Packaging Details: 1.2mt/tanker, more..

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45, 8th Street, Opposite To Karpagam Theatre Complex, Coimbatore- 641012, Tamil Nadu +91-8079464580 Formic Acid We are one of the leading manufacturers and suppliers of this unique range of Formic acid. This offered acid is widely used a major preservative and antibacterial agent especially in livestock feeding. This chemical has a highly pungent and penetrating odour at normal more.. Formic Acid, 950 ml [formic] | DudaDiesel Biodiesel Supplies Chemical Formula: HCOOH or HCO2H 95% Concentration, 5% water Formic acid is an important intermediate in chemical synthesis and occurs naturally, most notably in ant venom. It's name comes from the Latin word for ant, formica, referring to its early isolation by the distillation of ant bodies. Esters, salts and the anions derived from formic acid are referred to as formates. Formic acid is a colorless liquid having a very pungent penetrating odor at room temperature.

It is miscible with water and is of the most polar organic solvents and is somewhat soluable in hydrocarbons. A major use of formic acid is as a preservative and antibacterial agent in livestock feed. It is used in Europe with silage (and fresh hay) to promote the fermentation of lactic acid and to suppress the formation of butyric acid. Formic acid is also significantly used in the production of leather, including tanning and dyeing and finishing of textile because of its acidic nature. Formic acid is also used in place of minerals acids for various cleaning products, such as limescale remover and toilet bowl cleaner. Beekeepers use formic acid as a miticide against the tracheal mite and the varroa mite. HAZARDOUS CHEMICAL: This item may not be compatible with other hazardous materials. Please view the compatibility chart if you plan to order multiple, hazardous items together. If you need two chemicals which are not compatible, please order them separately, as they cannot be shipped in the same box. Hazardous chemicals can only be shipped to the 48 US states. They also cannot be shipped to an APO.

Hazardous chemicals may only be shipped via fedex ground. This product ships as a consumer commodity ORM-D. There are no extra fees to ship this item. This product is made in the USA. Panasonic's Artificial Photosynthesis Turns Water, Sunlight, and CO2 into Useful Chemicals By Clay Dillow posted Aug 1st, 2012 at 12:16pm Panasonic Artificial Photosynthesis Yielding Formic Acid Artificial photosynthesis--the idea that we might be able to create energy and other useful thing from sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide, as plants do--is something of a holy grail for energy and green chemistry researchers. And while some efforts have shown modest potential--MIT's Nocera Lab, for instance, claims to have created an artificial leaf from stable materials--efficiency is still a problem. That hasn't stopped consumer electronics giant Panasonic; the company yesterday revealed that it is investing in artificial photosynthesis technology that turns carbon dioxide and sunlight into industrial chemicals. Just add water. Panasonic's two-step approach involves a nitride semiconductor that converts sunlight into a flow of electrons that splits water into its constituent hydrogen and oxygen.

A second reaction then coverts carbon dioxide and the harvested hydrogen into formic acid via a metallic catalyst. Formic acid is a widely-used chemical in textile production and food preservation, particularly for livestock feed (fun fact: it occurs naturally in bee and ant venom). The problem here--as always--is efficiency. The conversion of water, sunlight, and carbon dioxide to formic acid reaches just two-tenths of one percent efficiency, far below the threshold that could make it commercially viable. But every technology starts somewhere. The company will present the research at this week's International Conference on Photochemical Conversion and Storage of Solar Energy. ‘Crazy’ ant fight | Science News for Students View the video Fights broke out recently in a Texas research lab. No, the scientists didn't throw any punches. Instead, two types of invasive ants duked it out. And despite being the little guys, a species of “crazy” ants successfully fought off what should have been a lethal poisoning by attacking fire ants. Both types of South American ants cause big problems in the southern United States. Red imported fire ants have been spreading since they first invaded in the late 1930s.

These pests, which can inflict a painful sting, have been overrunning native ants. They’ve also been setting up big colonies in suburban yards. Tawny crazy ants are more recent invaders. An exterminator named Tom Rasberry first raised alarms about them in 2002. These ants form giant colonies — sometimes in homes and even inside electrical appliances. Although they don't sting, crazy ants do run quickly in all directions when excited. Indeed, that’s how they came to be called crazy. In the southern United States, these ants also have been overrunning other ants. They even have been displacing fire ants, notes Edward LeBrun. He’s an ecologist at the University of Texas at Austin. To probe how the little crazies hold their own against the poison-producing fire ants, LeBrun staged a few battles between the species. In one corner were the fire ants. Their challengers: the tawny crazy ants. Fire-ant venom can kill many types of insects. But the crazies defended themselves against that poison with their own natural chemical, an acid. LeBrun’s team now suspects that this acid treatment may explain why crazy ants seem to be gaining an upper hand in nature.

The group reported on the crazies’ victories February 13 in the journal Science. The crazy defense To better understand how crazies survive a fire-ant attack, LeBrun performed a series of tests. He attracted both aggressive species to the same place using a yummy cricket as bait. The fire ants arrived at the food first. When the crazy ants showed up, they sprayed the fire ants with formic acid from a small opening in their abdomens. The fire ants fought back by producing droplets of milky venom from their rears. They then dabbed the venom on the crazy-ant attackers. Immediately, each venom-dabbed crazy would retreat and curl up its abdomen between its legs. Then, it secreted formic acid onto its mandibles (pincerlike mouthparts). These crazy ants now quickly groomed themselves, from head to hind, spreading the acid all over. And that acid neutralized a fire ant’s venom, the scientists found, making it harmless. This formic-acid rubdown allowed about 98 percent of crazy ants to survive a fire-ant attack. That suggests formic acid plays both offensive and defensive roles for the little crazy ants.

To confirm the acid’s role, LeBrun and his coworkers used nail polish to paint over the small opening through which crazy ants secrete that formic acid. This cut the crazy ant’s survival rate in half. Only 49 percent of crazy ants survived being dabbed with fire-ant venom when they could no longer secrete formic acid. The scientists also exposed another ant species to fire-ant venom then treated it with formic acid. These ants survived as well. Eight or 10 different species of crazy ants inhabit the southern United States, John LaPolla told Science News. A biologist at Towson University in Maryland, he did not work on the new study. Tawny crazy ants may not be the only ones able to defend themselves on the battlefield with formic acid, he says. To be sure, more studies will be needed. While crazy ants and fire ants have clashed in the United States for a dozen or so years, they have been at it much longer in South America. There, the native range of both types of ants overlaps. And that long exposure may have given crazy ants time to evolve their poison-neutralizing technique, LeBrun says.

DETOX DANCE When dabbed with venom from fire ants, crazy ants of the species Nylanderia fulva curl their hind ends up between their legs and secrete droplets of formic acid. The ants then give themselves vigorous rubdowns, smearing the acid on their bodies. Most survive the attack. Credit: E. LeBrun et. al/Science 2014; fturmog/FLICKR; reported by Susan Milius; adapted and narrated by Ashley Yeager Power Words biology The study of living things. The scientists who study them are known as biologists. crazy ants Tropical American ants that scatter with frenzied activity when excited. At least one species also uses a natural acid to defend itself from fire ants. defense (in biology) A natural protective action taken or chemical response that occurs when a species confront predators or agents that might harm it. (adj. defensive) ecology A branch of biology that deals with the relations of organisms to one another and to their physical surroundings. A scientist who works in this field is called an ecologist. fire ant A tropical American ant that has a painful and sometimes poisonous sting.

formic acid A strong-smelling, colorless irritant that occurs naturally in the venom of some ants. The venom can kill many types of insects. invasive species (also known as aliens) A species that is found living, and often thriving, in an ecosystem other than the one in which it evolved. mandible The jaw or jawbone. offense (in biology) A natural intentional action taken by a species to control prey or take on challengers. (adj. offensive) venom A poisonous secretion of an animal, such as a snake, spider or scorpion, usually transmitted by a bite or sting. Formic Acid - Manufacturers, Suppliers, Exporters, Uses Formic Acid Contact Us Formic Acid: Formic Acid one of the best quality chemicals which has the scientific name is called Methanoic Acid. It has the lowest molecular weight and HCOOH or HCO2H is its chemical formula as well as it is the simplest of the carboxylic acids. It is a significant intermediate in chemical synthesis and occurs naturally most particularly in ant venom. Its name comes from the Latin word for ant Formica referring to its early separation by the distillation of ant bodies.

Salts, esters as well as the anions resulting from formic acid, are referred to the formats. Formic acid occurs organically in the poison of cutting insects particularly ants. Some kinds of ant have ovipositors which have evolved into stingers that distribute painful, grating venom. Others are capable of the squirting jets of liquid at aggressor from venom sacs which evolved to make the formic acid. The spray is can be reason painful and debilitating burns to predators, and can go away humans with grating welts. The Latin word for ant, "formica," gives its name both to the ant families Formicate, and to the formic acid. Formic acid is the neutral liquid having an extremely pungent, penetrating odorant room temperature. It is a usually occurring intermediate in cellular metabolism and is excreted in urine as the regular physiological manufactured goods. Acid formic is produced as degradation manufactured goods of certain amino acids. E.g., methionine, serine and glycine, as well as of several natural substances such as methanol and acetone. Use of formic acid as the leather manufacturing to the control pH, as well as in acid dyeing.

Most applications are require for the formic acid in the concentrations of 85%, 90%, 94% and 99% the 85% creation accounts for the most important part of the worldwide demand and is careful in the industry standard. In many instances formic acid is used to the control of the pH of chemical processes. One of the most general industrial uses of formic acid is in the manufacture of leather . Because it is so acidic, formic acid has verified itself to be wonderful for use in this method. When used properly, formats can deeply increase the absorbing capability of otherwise smooth surfaces as well as support to the deduction of these surfaces with the equipment and extra technologies. Agriculture accounts for the extremely high percentage of formic acid make use of worldwide. Because of its natural antibacterial properties formic acid has been achieved very high use as both a clean preservative and pesticide. In addition to providing a positive level of clean support formic acid really allows grass to start fermentation at a lower temperature, deeply reducing the generally time that it takes to manufacture as increasing the nutritional importance of the complete product. Formic Acid Specifications

Question: What acid occurs naturally in bee and ant venom?
Answer: Formic acid