TY  - JOUR
AU  - Koch, L.
AU  - Niedermeyer, T. H. J.
AU  - Tragust, S.
T1  - Acid reign: formicine ants and their venoms
JF  - Myrmecological News
Y1  - 2025
DA  - 2025
PB  - The Austrian Society of Entomofaunistics
SN  - 1997-3500
N1  - 10.25849/myrmecol.news_035:001
DO  - 10.25849/myrmecol.news_035:001
SP  - 1-27
KW  - Venom, formic acid, toxungen, ant venom, chemical communication, nest sanitation, acidopore grooming, Formicinae, Formicidae, Aculeata, Hymenoptera.
AB  - Venoms are found across all animal phyla and represent key adaptive traits in various ecological contexts, particularly in predator-prey interactions. Ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) produce a wide range of chemically diverse defensive secretions. The venoms of the non-stinging ant subfamily Formicinae largely consist of concentrated formic acid but also contain a multitude of other compounds, many of which are yet unidentified. Formicine ants use their venoms not only for attack and defense but also for disinfection and hygiene, communication, and even as antivenoms and herbicides. Here, we present a review of the scattered literature on formicine ant venoms regarding venom apparatus morphology, venom composition, and venom function. Further, we aim to contextualize old and recent knowledge on formicine ant venoms, comparing them with venoms from other ant subfamilies and animal venoms in general.
JA  - Myrmecological News
M3  - Review Article
VL  - 35