How common are allergic reactions to insect stings?
The problem with stinging insects is they hurt when they sting, but for a small number of people in the country they can be deadly. Anaphylaxis is the most severe allergic reaction, and the worst case scenario it can lead to death. There are over 50 deaths a year from insect stings in this country, and the number's probably higher, but it's not reported as an insect death.
What are the various stinging styles of these insects?
The honeybee is more of a problem out on the West Coast. Honeybees usually won't bother you if you don't bother them. The way people get stung is walking barefoot in the grass, or the bees get trapped in clothing. Honeybees like colorful clothing and perfume, so they'll just land on your blouse, and then if you bother them they'll sting you.
Most people recognize the honeybee. It's yellow and fuzzy, with black and white stripes. They're fatter than the other bees. The honeybees only sting once; when they sting, their stinger comes out and they die.
The yellow jacket, on the other hand, is a vicious little creature that is more common on the East Coast. They are yellow and black, but smaller and skinnier than the honeybees. Yellow jackets live in the ground, so a lot of times people will be cutting their grass or raking leaves, and they'll step on a yellow jacket hole, and the bees will swarm out and sting them. They'll go after you, and they can sting multiple times.
