Ant venom

Of all extant ant species, about 71% are considered to be stinging species. Notable examples include a few species of medical importance, such as Solenopsis (fire ants), Pachycondyla, Myrmecia (bulldog ants), and Paraponera (bullet ants). In the case of fire ants, the venom consists mainly of alkaloid (>95%) and protein (<1%) components.^[1] 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.^[2]: 450 Some subfamilies have evolutionarily lost the ability to sting.^[3]

The geographical prevalence of ant venom is closely linked to the global distribution of ant species. Different types of ants dominate specific regions of the world. In the southeastern United States, along with parts of South America and Central America, fire ants from the genus Solenopsis are a major source of medically significant sting incidents.^[4] In the Australia region, a species from the genus Myrmecia can be primarily found to be responsible for the majority of serious ant sting reactions.^[4] In the East Asia and Middle East regions, Pachycondyla species can be found, while in North America Pogonomyrmex species can be found in arid regions.^[4] These regional patterns reflect the differences in the regions contributing to variations in the ant venom world.

First aid for fire ant bites includes external treatments and oral medicines.^{[citation needed]}

• External treatments: a topical steroid cream (hydrocortisone), or one containing Aloe vera^[5]
• Oral medicines: antihistamines
• Applying zinc oxide or calamine lotion.

Severe allergic reactions can be caused by ant stings in particular and venomous stings in general, including severe chest pain, nausea, severe sweating, loss of breath, serious swelling, fever, dizziness, and slurred speech;^[6] they can be fatal if not treated.

• Acidopore
• Poneratoxin, the neurotoxic component of bullet ant venom
• Pulicosis (flea bites)
• Skin lesion
• Solenopsin, the primary toxin in fire ant venom