Venom organ failure. Many caterpillars have defensive venom glands associated with specialized bristles on the body, known as urticating hairs, which can be lethal to humans (e.g., that of the "Lonomia" moth), although the venom's strength varies depending on the species. Bees synthesize and employ an acidic venom (apitoxin) to cause pain in those that they sting to defend their hives and food stores, whereas wasps use a chemically different alkaline venom designed to paralyze prey, so it can be stored alive in the food chambers of their young. The use of venom is much more widespread than just these examples.
Toxicology of red imported fire ant venom (LD) on tested female rats is 0.36 mg/kg. Approximately 46 proteins have been identified in the red imported fire ant's venom, although scientists have long believed the venom only contained alkaloids. This assumption was mostly due to the difficulties in obtaining sufficient venom for analysis because of its the low protein content, which is only 0.1% of the venom's total weight. These proteins are experimentally suggested to directly account for the anaphylactic reactions seen in humans sensitive to the venom. Whilst including a number of neurotoxins and potential allergens, not all of these proteins are involved with venom function. At