How Big Are Wasps Stingers?
WouterWhether or not wasps sting you depends on your body’s sensitivity. Most people experience a mild reaction that passes within hours, but some people develop a hypersensitivity that can be serious. Symptoms include redness, swelling, and local pain. Some people may experience anaphylactic shock, which requires immediate medical attention. Other people may experience a less severe reaction that includes shortness of breath and loss of consciousness.
The size of a wasp’s stinger depends on three major components. First, the length of the stinger is determined by the height of the venom orifice at the tip. Second, the stinger is hollow, making it lightweight and strong. Third, the stinger has a sharp tip.
The shape of a wasp stinger varies along the length of the stinger. It is curved in the apical region and tapered in the basal region.
A wasp stinger’s diameter decreases from base to tip. The length of the stinger is also curved. Unlike honeybee stingers, which have similar geometrical morphologies, the wasp stinger has three different regions. It is also mechanically graded.
The stinger’s elastic modulus is highest at the basal region of the stinger. It is also lowest at the tip. This is because the wasp stinger applies a concentric compressive force to the surface of the object it is pressing.
The shape of the stinger is also very important for penetration. Because of the geometry of the stinger, structural failure is prevented during penetration.
The geometry of the stinger allows the wasp to insert the stinger deep into an object. When the pressing force reaches its maximum level, the wasp punctures the object. The force that is applied is usually about 50 mN.
