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Advances in Research on the Venom Chemistry of Imported Fire Ants

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Recent Advances in Entomological Research

Abstract

Workers of the imported fire ants, including red imported fire ants, Solenopsis invicta Buren, black imported fire ants, S. richteri Forel, and their hybrid (S. invicta × S. richteri), are vicious stingers. Since the venomous sting is a significant medical problem to humans, the chemistry of imported fire ant venom has been a subject of rigorous research. This chapter summarizes the recent research on the chemistry of imported fire ant venom and focuses on several newly identified piperideine alkaloids. The potential pharmacologic application of piperidine alkaloids and updates on major allergens found in the imported fire ant venom are also reviewed.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Biological Control of Pests Research Unit, Agricultural Research Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Stoneville, MS, 38776, USA

    Jian Chen

  2. College of Life Sciences, China Jiliang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310018, China

    Hanwu Shang

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  1. Jian Chen
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  2. Hanwu Shang
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Key Laboratory of Applied Entomology, Northwest A & F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, 712100, China

    Tongxian Liu

  2. State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China

    Le Kang

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© 2011 Higher Education Press, Beijing and Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg

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Chen, J., Shang, H. (2011). Advances in Research on the Venom Chemistry of Imported Fire Ants. In: Liu, T., Kang, L. (eds) Recent Advances in Entomological Research. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-17815-3_24

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