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Why
These Insects Sting
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Venom is injected along with the stinger
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Summary: Wasps,
bees and ants sting in defense of their
colonies and in some cases to capture
prey. Stings to humans can sometimes
result in a very serious allergic condition called
anaphylaxis.
Jack DeAngelis, PhD
OSU Ext. Entomologist
(ret.)
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Why do wasps, bees & ants sting?
Wasps, bees and some ants use a
modified egg-laying apparatus called an
ovipositor (stinger) to subdue prey
and to defend their nests. While these
insects sting rather than bite
to inflict injury they may also use their
mandibles to bite in order to anchor themselves
before delivering the sting.
Venom is often injected into the wound
made by the sharp stinger. The venom contains
chemicals that cause pain and may contain toxic
proteins. In humans these proteins may
induce serious allergic reactions in some
individuals. Most of the danger from
hymenopteran* stings is from the injection of
toxic proteins. About 1-3% of the
population is highly allergic to these
proteins resulting in a life-threatening
reaction called anaphylaxis.
*Hymenoptera is the insect order that
contains wasps, bees and ants.
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Yellowjacket wasp with
stinger exposed. Original drawing from
USDA Ag. Handbook Number 552.
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Some dangerous Hymenoptera
A few Hymenoptera are particularly
notorious for the potency of their venom and
stings. Jackjumper and bulldog ants are native to
Australia, New Zealand and Tasmania. Fire ants
(Solenopsis spp.) are native to the topics
but have invaded parts of North America and
Australia. Harvester ants (Pogonomyrmex
spp.) are large reddish-brown ants found mainly in
drier parts of western North America.
Some reports indicate that harvester ant
venom is the most toxic of all insect venom to
mammals. It's a good thing that only a very
small amount is delivered with each sting!
Yellowjacket wasps (Vespula spp.),
hornets (Vespa spp.) and paper wasps (Polistes
spp.) occur world-wide. Paper wasps are
generally not as threatening or aggressive
as the other species. Finally, the Africanized
honey bee is a highly aggressive strain, or
subspecies, of honey bee (Apis mellifera)
that has invaded South America and southwestern
North America.
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How dangerous are ant, wasp and bee
stings?
Stings from wasps, bees and ants are
dangerous because of the small amount of
foreign protein, or venom, that is
injected. This venom causes localized swelling
and pain in most people but can trigger a
severe anaphylactic reaction in a
small percentage of susceptible individuals.
Even a single sting can start the reaction but
multiple stings are increasingly dangerous.
Serious anaphylaxis usually occurs
quickly following a sting. Anaphylaxis
can even occur in individuals who have
experienced no prevous reaction.
Carefully watch for the symptoms of anaphylaxis
following all stings for at least 30
minutes. Seek medical attention
immediately if symptoms develop. For less serious reactions most
people simply apply ice to the swelling.
Since nearly all of the reaction to
hymenopteran stings is related to the
allergic reaction some people have found
antihistimine (otc allergy) medications to
be useful. Anti-venoms,
in the usual sense, are not used in the
treatment of hymenopteran envenomization.
However, some venoms are collected for use
in desensitization therapy ("allergy
shots").
What are
Fire Ants?
The European
Paper Wasp
The
"Killer" Bees
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