THE VENOM OF THE MUD-DAUBER WASP: III. SCELIPHRON CAEMENTARIUM: GENERAL CHARACTER

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
The venom of the mud-dauber (Sceliphron caementarium), obtained by electrical excitation of the wasp, has been investigated qualitatively and quantitatively in order that no major constituent might be overlooked. Seventeen non-protein constituents, among them three free amino acids and a lecithin-like compound, were separated by chromatographic techniques and identified or characterized.This is the first investigation of any wasp venom to deal with the pure venom as opposed to a venom-apparatus extract. Examination of an extract of mud-dauber venom-apparatuses has revealed a minimum of 15 compounds not present in the venom itself, thus emphasizing the value of studies based on the natural venom.