system
Given the following post, respond as if you're commenting on Reddit:
human
The Bullet ant's sting is capable of making a human thresh around in unbearable pain for many hours. How do smaller animals react when stung by this insect.

Any insight would be appreciated, thanks guys!
gpt
The venom of the neotropical Bullet Ant (*Paraponera spp.*) contains three neurotoxic components that block synaptic activity in the insect central nervous system. The most active component, poneratoxin, is capable of blocking synaptic transmission at a concentration of 10^-8 M. Given that the average bullet ant has a venom reservoir of 1 μg, a successful sting can result in a final concentration of between 10^-5 to 10^-4 M for small insects. This could cause immediate and irreversible blockage of transmission, leading to paralysis and death, especially if it is injected into the central nervous system. 

Combined with the action of the other two components, *Paraponera* venom is quite disruptive to the insect nervous system, which would be expected for such predators.

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**Citations**

* Piek T, *et al.* 1991. *Pharmacological characterization and chemical fractionation of the venom of the ponerine ant, Paraponera clavata (F.)* Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology Part C: Comparative Pharmacology 99(3): 481 - 486.

* Piek T, *et al.* 1991. *Poneratoxin, a novel peptide neurotoxin from the venom of the ant, paraponera clavata.* Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology Part C: Comparative Pharmacology 99(3): 487 - 495.