El flujo de Pómez Biotítica del Río Liberia (Guanacaste) Costa Rica, América Central

Abstract

Publisher Summary This chapter provides an overview of the alkaloids in insects including ants and arthropods such as millipedes, spiders, scorpions, and centipedes; and describes biogenic amines, pigments, purines, tryptophan metabolites, and acyclic amines, some representatives of which are used for defenses and communications in arthropods. Unlike most insects, Hymenoptera (ants and wasps) can be sources of monocyclic and bicyclic alkaloids. The fire ant venom, secreted at the sting to human beings, is a potent necrotoxin, producing edema, pustule, and necrosis and in addition possesses pronounced hemolytic, phytotoxi, insecticidal, antibacterial, and antifungal activities. The venoms of ants of the Myrmecia species are rich in histamine. The alkylpyrazines of the cephalic secretion of four species of eumenid wasps in the genera Ancistrocerus, Stenodynerus, Pseudodynerus, and Eumenes may have a role in the wasp's presocial behavior, for example, aggregating at nocturnal roosting sites. The venoms of many kinds of bees, wasps, and hornets (the genera Vespa, Polistes, Vespula, Ropalidia) contain biogenic amines, such as histamine, serotonin, and catecholamines in addition to polyamines, such as putrescine, permidine, and spermine.