This family consists of insecticidal peptides isolated from venom of spiders of Aptostichus schlingeri and Calisoga sp. Nine insecticidal peptides were isolated from the venom of the Aptostichus schlingeri spider and seven of these toxins cause flaccid paralysis to insect larvae within 10 min of injection. However, all nine peptides were lethal within 24 hours [1]. The structure of Aps III was solved and shown to be an atypical knottin peptide with four disulphide bridges [2].

1: Identification of insecticidal peptides from venom of the trap-door spider, Aptostichus schlingeri (Ctenizidae). Skinner WS, Dennis PA, Li JP, Quistad GB; Toxicon 1992;30:1043-1050. PMID:1440641

2: The insecticidal neurotoxin Aps III is an atypical knottin peptide that potently blocks insect voltage-gated sodium channels. Bende NS, Kang E, Herzig V, Bosmans F, Nicholson GM, Mobli M, King GF; Biochem Pharmacol. 2013; [Epub ahead of print] PMID:23473802