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Why 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 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 [picture of bulldog ant stinging]
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 venoms to mammals. It's a good
thing 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 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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for solving common insect and mite problems around
your home, business and landscape using least-toxic
methods.
Jack DeAngelis,
Ph.D.
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