Kinins in ant venoms--a comparison with venoms of related Hymenoptera

1. Venom preparations have been made of six ant, one pompilid wasp, two mutillid wasp, and four social wasp species. 2. The venoms were analysed pharmacologically in order to detect kinin-like activity. 3. Due to the small amounts of venoms available only a cascade of smooth muscle preparation could be used. 4. Kinin activities have been found in five ant venoms and in four social wasp venoms. 5. No kinin activity has been found in the venoms of the pompilid and mutillid wasps. 6. All ant venoms also contain unidentified agonists for vertebrate smooth muscle preparations.