Formic Acidthe Protection An Ant Maintains For Defense

Formic acid(HCOOH or HCO2H) is a type of carboxylic acid

. Its systematic name in the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry's chemical nomenclature is methanoic acid, but the historical name continues to be commonly used. In its natural form, it is a colorless liquid with a strong odor.

This acid occurs naturally in the venom of stinging insects, especially ants. Formic acid is injected through the bite of a carpenter ant to cause more sting and pain than only the mandibles or jaws of the ant could produce. A victim of the carpenter ant will be stung painfully enough to give the carpenter ant time to get away. If the biting is done by many carpenter ants together, the victim may die. The last layer of defense the carpenter ant has is a special pheromone or scent that it gives off to predators. This pheromone causes disorientation and confusion in the predator attacking it. These things combine to make a carpenter ant well able to defend itself against predatory attacks.

In 1671, British scientist John Ray heated ant bodies in order to collect formic acid. Today,the chemicalis produced in a friendlier manner; it's derived from carbon monoxide.

At the time of its invention, there were limited industrial applications for the above chemical. Beginning in the mid-20th century, it began to be used in more and more applications, playing a major role in modern agriculture and industry, including textile and leather production. In Europe, farmers apply it to livestock feed to preserve its nutritional value and kill some kinds of bacteria. Beekeepers use products containing the compound to kill mites that can infest hives. Some cleaning products also make use of it, especially cleaning products used on hard surfaces, such as limescale remover and toilet bowl cleaner.

Formic acid is used to preserve grass, called silage, to feed livestock.It can help prevent intestinal diseases in animals and, for this reason, researchers are looking at usingthe compoundto replace the in-feed antibiotics.

Countries all over the world useit for a variety of purposes. The leather uses the substance for degreasing and removing hair from hides as well as a dyeing additive.

Formic acid(CAS:64-18-6) can be hazardous in an industrial or laboratory setting. It is corrosive and combustible, although most commercially available concentrations present little risk of combustion. It is also an eye and skin irritant, requiring laboratory workers to use eye protection and reduce exposed skin. Inhalation of fumes can cause damage to the respiratory system and optic nerves.

by: dark alex

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