What causes Hymenoptera stings?

Answer

Hymenoptera are social creatures that typically sting to protect their colony, nest, or hive. Most stings are incited by proximity to the colony. Noisy or vigorous activity (eg, lawn mowers, weed eaters), bright or dark colors, and perfumes also may incite stings. When a colony is disturbed, many Hymenoptera release defense pheromones that attract other members of the colony to sting. These pheromones are released during stinging or when an insect is smashed.

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Media Gallery

Western paper wasp (Mischocyttarus flavitarsis) building a nest. By Sanjay Acharya (self-made at Sunnyvale, California, USA). Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.
Yellow jacket. By Richard Bartz, Munich aka Makro Freak (Own work). Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.
Fire ant bites. In less than 10 seconds, an unwary scientist was stung over 250 times on one leg when he carelessly knelt on a collapsed fire ant mound. The sterile pustules developed to this stage in 3 days. US Department of Agriculture. Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.
Fire ants. US Department of Agriculture. Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.

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Randy Park, MD Chair, Associate Professor, Department of Emergency Medicine, Denton Regional Medical Center

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John T VanDeVoort, PharmD Regional Director of Pharmacy, Sacred Heart and St Joseph's Hospitals

John T VanDeVoort, PharmD is a member of the following medical societies: American Society of Health-System Pharmacists

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James Steven Walker, DO, MS Clinical Professor of Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Oklahoma College of Medicine

James Steven Walker, DO, MS is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Emergency Medicine, American College of Emergency Physicians, American College of Osteopathic Emergency Physicians, American Osteopathic Association

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Joe Alcock, MD, MS Associate Professor, Department of Emergency Medicine, University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center

Joe Alcock, MD, MS is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Emergency Medicine

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Dan Danzl, MD Chair, Professor, Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Louisville Hospital

Dan Danzl, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Emergency Medicine, American College of Emergency Physicians, American Medical Association, Kentucky Medical Association, Society for Academic Emergency Medicine, Wilderness Medical Society

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Hemant H Vankawala, MD Chief Medical Information Officer, Emerus Hospital; Associate Clinical Professor, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center; Associate Clinical Professor, Texas Tech University Health Science Center; EMS Medical Director, Big Bend National Park and Terlingua Fire and EMS

Hemant H Vankawala, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American College of Emergency Physicians, American Medical Association, Society for Academic Emergency Medicine, Texas Medical Association, Emergency Medicine Residents' Association

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Carrie de Moor, MD Adjunct Faculty, John Peter Smith Hospital, Emergency Medicine; Attending Physician, 24 Hour Emergency Room, Centennial Medical Center, Del Sol Emergency Department

Carrie de Moor, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Medical Association, Texas Medical Association

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