Sting glands

Sting glands, whose exact location in the basal apparatus is unknown, produce an alarm pheromone that is stored in a setose membrane connecting the second valvifers (oblong plates) in workers of all Apis species (summarized in Maschwitz and Kloft, 1971 Gary, 1974 Michener, 1974). 

The first volatile associated with alarm, isoamyl acetate (Boch et al., 1962), was later found in varying amounts in all four species of Apis (Morse et al., 1967). Sting apparatus extracts of A. mellifera (Blum etal., 1978 Pickett eta/., 1982 Collins and Blum, 1982) contain additional compounds including a series of acetates and several alcohols. 

The major volatile in sting extracts of A. dorsata and A. fJorea is 2-decen-l-yl acetate (Veith eta/., 1978) with, tentatively, 1-octyl acetate. A. cerane, A. c/orja/a, 

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A widespread and perhaps primitive function of the mandibular gland secretions is defense. Bees typically release these chemicals when they are roughly handled. The secretions include chemicals that are common arthropod defensive compounds. When crickets are treated with the mandibular gland compounds of Ceratina, attack by ants is deterred (Wheeler et al., 1977). 2-Heptanone in Apis worker mandibular glands acts as an alarm pheromone in conjunction with sting gland secretions. 

Fig. 1 The fluorescing images of secretory cells under luminescent microscope. A and B. Blue-fluorescing stinging and non-stinging secretory hairs of Urtica dioica, relatively on stem and leaf C and D - green-yellow-fluorescing leaf glandular trichomes of Lycopersicon esculentum and Solanum tuberosum, E. - Blue-fluorescing leaf cells of Achillea millefolium F - yellow fluoresced gland of leaf Calendula officinalis., G., H and I -secretory hairs, idioblasts and crystal on the surface on the root of Ruta graveolens, relatively.

Sting apparatus at the end of their tail, with poison glands at the teeth of the spine. The active venom contains proteins with a molecular weight of 100 kDa. 

Heredia A. and Detrain C. (2000) Worker size polymorphism and ethological role of sting associated glands in the harvester ant Messor barbarus. Insectes Soc. 47, 383-389. 

Drugs (e.g., pilocarpine) that cause rapid lacrimation by stinging or by stimulation of lacrimal glands in normal individuals are formulated at high concentration to offset the dilution and washout that occur from tear flow. Patients with dry eyes that do not tear readily can absorb greatly exaggerated doses of topically applied medications. In children, who cry and lacrimate more easily than do adults, rapid drug washout can prevent adequate absorption of topically applied medications. 

C. Decontamination. Examine the sting site carefully for any retained stingers these can be removed by gentle scraping with a sharp edge (eg, knife blade) or with tweezers (venom gland contents have almost always teen quickly and completely expelled). Wash the area with soap and water. 

II. Toxic dose. The dose of venom involved in any sting is variable. Interspecies variation in the severity of envenomation is generally the result of the relation between the venom gland and the spines. 

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