Which Wasps Have the Worst Stings?
WouterThousands of wasp species inhabit the world. Some have stingers, others do not. Each type of wasp varies in size and color. Some are black, while others are red. Some may have only a few stingers, while others may have thousands. The sting of a wasp can be either mild or painful, and may last for hours.
The sting of a wasp is much more intense than that of a bee. The venom is stronger and is more suited to paralyzing insect prey. It leaves behind an inflamed red wound. The pain begins to subside after about two minutes.
The sting of a hornet is much longer and wider than that of a bee. Its stinger is a large hook that is attached to the venom sac. The sting from a hornet may last up to 12 hours in full force.
Some wasps have stingers that are so strong they can cause a severe allergic reaction. They are generally not aggressive to humans, although they may sting repeatedly if the nest is invaded. Some of these wereps also have a habit of building nests around homes and buildings. If you have an allergy, avoid nests.
Another wasp with a large stinger is the tarantula hawk. This species is native to the western United States. It’s a two-inch long wasp that preys on tarantulas. It’s sting is rated as level four on the Schmidt Pain Index. It is one of the most painful insects in the world.
