Which Wasps Have Stingers?

Several species of wasps use stingers for hunting and immobilizing their hosts. Depending on the species, some may sting repeatedly without harming their hosts. There are some species that will die immediately after stinging.

Some parasitic wasps pepper their hosts with eggs or fill their host with dozens of eggs. The venom of these insects may be quite toxic, especially for the host. Some of the species are known as “cow killers” because of their potent sting.

Stingers vary in size and strength. For example, the Velvet Ant has the longest sting of all wasps, but the sting is not as potent as those of a Tarantula Hawk. A number of parasitic wasps, however, have evolved away from egg-laying.

Stingers are composed of three major components. The apical region, medial region, and the base. Each is characterized by a natural orifice, and a paired lancet. The apical region has the maximum penetration of the venom, while the medial and base regions have minimum penetration.

The stinger is stored in a venom sack at the lower abdomen of the wasp. The venom is transported through a hollow venom canal. This hollow venom canal is also visible in micro-CT images of the wasp’s stinger. The venom is transported through the hollow venom canal, thereby increasing the mechanical stability of the wasp’s sting.

The stinger of a wasp is made up of a stylet, a bulb-like base, and a hollow shaft. These hollow shafts make the stinger lightweight and strong.