Allergens
Ant venom allergens have been predominantly studied in Solenopsis(fire ants), Myrmecia (jumper/bulldog ants), andBrachyponera (needle ants) (Table 3). While major Myrmeciavenom allergens are toxic peptides below 10 kDa (pilosulins), other ant
venoms are similar in composition to bee and wasp
venoms.60 Only a few ant venom allergens have been
officially accepted by the IUIS nomenclature subcommittee thus far
(Table 3).
There is limited knowledge about cross-reactions between the venoms of
ants, bees, and wasps, and
between different ant species.