What Chemical is Released When an Ant Dies?
WouterCurrently, there is no definite answer to the question of what chemical is released when an ant dies. But we know that ants communicate with each other by sending out signals via chemicals. These signals include chemicals known as pheromones. These pheromones can be smelled by other ants. They also signal food sources.
The pheromones released by dying ants also attract other ants to investigate the dead ant. This may cause other ants to carry the dead ant to a midden. If there is no danger, the workers will carry the corpse back to the nest.
Most ant venoms are cytolytic-based toxins. They act quickly to disrupt membranes, thereby killing the victim. They also act against different kinds of cells. They are used by ants to kill prey, disinfect captured prey, and predigestion. They may also contribute to social immunity of ant colonies.
One ant may produce 0.1 to 300 mg of dry venom. Various ants, including snakes, spiders, scorpions, and other venomous insects produce peptidic and non-peptidic venom components.
The Dufour’s gland is an accessory organ that is located near the venom gland and produces nontoxic, long-chain primary acetates. It has also been shown that ants interact with this gland. The ant venom interacts with the Dufour’s gland and may contribute to venom toxicity.
Carboxylesterases have been discovered in the genomes of ants. They hydrolyze carboxylic acid esters into alcohols and acids. They also degrade ester moieties found in pesticides.
