ABSTRACT
Most of the aculeate Hymenoptera group of insects have a stinger apparatus used to paralyze prey species or for defense. Most are small or lack the power to thrust the stinger through a vertebrate skin and thus are of no consequence in envenomating either human beings or animals. Other species of bees, wasps, yellow jackets, and hornets inflict, at the least, a transient, painful sting and sometimes kill animals and people. The honey bee, Apis mellifera, is one of two domesticated insect species. Bees and wasps have evolved marvelous methods for housing and guarding their broods. Various species of wasps, hornets, yellow jackets, bumble bees, and other bees may be locally abundant and cause problems. Wasps and hornets either lack a barbed lancet or the barbs are small and do not prevent withdrawal of the lancet.
