HISTOLOGY AND FUNCTION OF THE 
VENOM GLAND SYSTEM IN 
FORMICINE ANTS 1 
By Henry R. Hermann, Ron Baer 2 and Margaret Barlin 3 
Department of Entomology 
University of Georgia 
Athens, Georgia 30602 
The hymenopterous venom apparatus characteristically is associated 
with two sac-like structures, one of which is responsible for venom 
production and storage. The venom components generally include 
one or more filaments, a gland-like area and venom reservoir. Ac- 
cording to Blum and Hermann (1969), the filaments in some hy- 
menopterous insects apparently function in part in the pick-up of 
venom precursors and the transference of these compounds to the 
adjacent convoluted gland. Venom synthesized in the convoluted 
gland moves to the venom sac where it is stored until it is used. 
In a brief investigation of these venom components in formicine 
ants, we realized that the general picture reported by Blum and 
Hermann (1969) varied slightly in different aculeates. The venom 
components in formicines are uniquely arranged and facilitate a 
detailed study of the cells throughout the structures that are respon- 
sible for venom production and storage. 
Methods 
The venom components of several formicine species were examined 
carefully and found to be identical in structure. Camponotus penn- 
sylvanicus was chosen to represent the group. 
The convoluted gland was unraveled by pulling the entire gland 
from the sac and pulling on the proximalmost end of the tube on the 
basal side of the gland. In this way the length of the tube composing 
the convoluted gland, the point of junction between gland and sac 
and the point of junction between gland and filaments were deter- 
mined. 
1 This research was supported by a grant from the National Science 
Foundation (GB-38482) 
2 Present address: Department of Entomology, Virginia Polytechnic Insti- 
tute and State University, Blacksburg, Virginia 24601. 
3 Present address: Department of Entomology, Texas A & M University, 
College Station, Texas. 
Manuscript received by the editor March 4 1975 
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