Shows moderate activity against E.coli and S.aureus (MIC<25 uM), slight activity against B.subtilis (MIC<50 uM), and no activity against L.garvieae, P.aeruginosa, C.albicans, and S.cerevisiae. Has no hemolytic nor cytolytic activity. Causes an IgE-independent histamine release. Expressed by the venom gland. Belongs to the formicidae venom precursor-01 superfamily. Ant pilosulin family. M.banksi is a member of the M.pilosula complex, but is clearly distinct from M.pilosula species. The name pilosulin-3 has also been attributed by Davies et al., 2004 to an heterodimer from M.pilosula.