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Large Stinging Insects in the U.S.

The United States is home to various types of stinging insects. In spring and summer, stinging insects such as wasps, hornets and bees choose to nest within small foliage, large trees and homes or buildings. Many individuals consider these insects pests or a nuisance, as each insect can deliver a powerful sting. The stings of these insects can cause allergic reactions within humans, which result in throbbing pain, redness and swelling, according to WebMd. Bumblebees, hornets, yellow jackets and even paper wasps will build a nest near humans. Yet, these critters are territorial by nature, lashing out when they feel threatened.

Bumblebees
- Identified by their black heads and abdomens, bumblebees have yellow or white bands. Queens and her workers have the capability to sting when protecting their hive. When a bumblebee stings, the insect drives its stinger deep within the flesh of its victim. Half of a bumblebee's abdomen then gets ripped off and the stinger remains lodged within the victim. If the bumblebee manages to fly, it will eventually die.
Honeybees
- Honeybees are large stinging insects, often seen flying around during the spring and summer months. These insects are brown with black bands. Honeybees typically build their nests in tree trunks, walls and home ceilings. Normally docile and content, honeybees are more concerned about collecting nectar from flowers than attacking humans. Nevertheless, honeybees will go rogue when provoked and sting a person.
Yellow Jackets
- Yellow jackets, often mistaken for honeybees, are yellow with black bands, while honeybees are brown with yellow bands. Unlike honeybees, yellow jackets can sting repeatedly without dying. Yellow jackets are considerably more aggressive within late summer, as lack of food and nutrients make the insects move to environments that humans frequent, according to the Heritage Pest Control website. Often attacking in swarms, yellow jackets can inflict multiple stings on a victim. The venom from a yellow jacket can cause numbness and can even be fatal to some individuals.
Hornets
- Hornets are social insects that mature from eggs into adults and soon thereafter join their hive community. In most cases, hornets will build their nests in a corner of a house or cracks beneath walls and patios, decks, exterior furniture and rain gutters. In winter, hornet's nests are abandoned and queens seek protection under tree bark and structures such as a house. When spring arrives, the queen creates a new nest and lays eggs. Her offspring will become, the workers that carry out the hive duties. The queen produces hundreds of offspring before she eventually dies.
Paper Wasps
- A stinging insect that many encounter around a home are paper wasps. Paper wasps have the ability to construct a hive by chewing wood and turning it into a thin paper substance. A paper wasp's nest closely resembles a bee's honeycomb, without the covering. This type of wasp is extremely aggressive, especially when any individual approaches the nest. A paper wasp's sting is much more painful than the other large stinging insects; the pain caused by a sting can last several hours.

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