The salivary glands of Asilidae contain a venom toxic to locusts, mice and Paramecio. The toxicity of the venom of the various species is different. Venom contained in glands of one or two flies kills a white mouse of 20 g. 1/126 to 1/2 of a gland, according to the species, kills a locust (Locusta migratoria) of an average weight of one gram.
It seems that the venom has a neurotoxic effect, and causes symptoms in white mice, which resemble those caused by the venom of colubrid snakes.
A proteolytic activity has been shown in the saliva (pH. 4–9.4) and stomach juices (pH 2.4–9). One or both sources may be responsible for extra-intestinal digestion. No proteolytic activity was found in the labial glands.
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The salivary glands of Asilidae contain a venom toxic to locusts, mice and Paramecio. The toxicity of the venom of the various species is different. Venom contained in glands of one or two flies kills a white mouse of 20 g. 1/126 to 1/2 of a gland, according to the species, kills a locust (Locusta migratoria) of an average weight of one gram.
It seems that the venom has a neurotoxic effect, and causes symptoms in white mice, which resemble those caused by the venom of colubrid snakes.
A proteolytic activity has been shown in the saliva (pH. 4–9.4) and stomach juices (pH 2.4–9). One or both sources may be responsible for extra-intestinal digestion. No proteolytic activity was found in the labial glands.
| All Time | Past 365 days | Past 30 Days | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Abstract Views | 259 | 48 | 12 |
| Full Text Views | 26 | 0 | 0 |
| PDF Views & Downloads | 17 | 0 | 0 |