Now there are more than 21,000 species of bees on the planet. All of them are united in 520 genera. These highly organized social insects, leading a joint search for food, build dwellings together. If necessary, they are protected together. For protection, they have a sting with a toxic substance. In our short review, we will talk about the most dangerous types of bees. The most dangerous bees live mainly in countries with a warm tropical climate. We will tell you more about this now.
Danger
People have different susceptibility to bee venom. Some may develop a slight swelling and burning sensation, while others may experience severe intoxication with a sharp deterioration in well-being.
Elderly people, children, pregnant women, suffering from allergies and heart diseases are hard to tolerate bites. The consequences are different, but it is always swelling and redness at the site of the bite. Pressure may also rise, shortness of breath, weakness and dizziness may appear.
A small child is at greater risk because the child’s body is more susceptible to the effects of poison. For almost all people, a bite in the throat, palate or tongue is dangerous. So, do not eat jam directly from the can. With this method, the likelihood of a dangerous insect entering the mouth is high.
By the way, on our site thebiggest.ru there is an informative article about the most dangerous insects in the world.
Bite Actions
A natural question arises, what to do if a bee has bitten. Especially if it's a killer bee. First of all, you need to call the rescue service.
Calm down and do not panic. Not always a bite is fatal.
Independently pull out the sting and squeeze out the poison. At the site of the bite, it is better to attach a gauze bandage soaked in ammonia. A weak solution of potassium permanganate or hydrogen peroxide is also suitable.
A bitten person needs to drink more liquid, and those who suffer from allergies should take antihistamines.
Types of killer bees
1
Vespa mandarinia
In the photo one of the most dangerous species of stinging insects. The inhabitant of the Southeast region is considered the largest hornet in the world. They grow up to 5 cm in length, and the wingspan is 7.8 cm. In Russia, they can be found in the Far East.
It differs from other types of hornets with a large head and body coloration. Because of the characteristic coloring and size in Taiwan, this "giant" is called a tiger bee.
Their poison has a complex chemical composition and is very toxic. The sting has a record 6 mm length. Japanese Masato Ono, after he was stung by a hornet, said that a hot nail had been driven into his leg. Vespa's poison is deadly for people who are allergic to bee and hornet poison.
2
Apis mellifera
The African killer bee was artificially bred by crossing several species. Apis Mellifera grow to large sizes and easily adapt to environmental conditions.
These hardy social insects produce honey twice as much as other species. According to thebiggest.ru, this is where all the useful differences of the species end. Apis Mellifera has a very aggressive disposition. Feeling threatened, they attack with a swarm. A large amount of poison leaves a person no chance.
In Brazil, 200 deaths were recorded after the attack of these dangerous bees. Pets also suffer. When attacking, it is necessary to run, and preferably against the wind. These bees fly slowly, and flight can save a person’s life.
In Australia, their subspecies are found - Western honey bee. On the Green Continent, the number of deaths from its bite exceeds the death rate from white sharks.
3
Giant bee
In history, one death was recorded after an attack of this kind. Habitat - countries of South and Southeast Asia. Wild bees grow to 2–2.5 cm.
In nature, they have many enemies, and therefore they have developed a special aggressive manner of defense. Their poison is quite toxic. They never attack first and sting only in moments of danger. A swarm of bees defends collectively.
Despite the danger, these are good honey carriers. In India, they learned how to safely and safely collect honey from giant bees.
They have been known to mankind since the Paleolithic period. In caves of Spain, cave paintings were discovered where this species of bees was present. It is surprising that the Iberian Peninsula is far from the modern range.
4
Bee carpenter
Single forest bees build their nests in tree trunks. The range is limited to countries of Western and Eastern Europe. Transcaucasia, the countries of Central Asia and the Middle East. Found in the forests and cities of Mongolia.
Black bees sting only when they feel the danger. After a bite, people’s body temperature may increase, the bite site becomes red and swollen. Especially painful are bites in the neck, fingers, soft tissue of the inguinal region and armpits.
In recent decades, these bees began to populate the Lipetsk and Belgorod regions of Russia. This is a rare species. In the Russian Federation and Ukraine, it is listed in the Red Book.
Which is more dangerous, a bee or wasp sting
Now compare the effects of the bites of two stinging insects. According to the Justin Schmidt scale, the bite of both insects is considered painful. Their bites are comparable to burns.
The danger is that the bee leaves a sting in the body. An exception is the African bee, which can sting up to eight times in a row. It must be pulled out immediately to avoid unpleasant consequences. Wasps can still bite their jaws, but because their bite is more painful.
Different in related insects and the composition of the poison. In bees, the composition of the poison changes with age. Poison reaches its highest toxicity on the 37–45th day of life. It all depends on the size. The larger the stem-bellied insect, the more dangerous it is.
The composition of bee venom
Studies have shown that poison is divided into several groups:
- Squirrels. They have all the properties of enzymes. Most of all, phospholipase A2. And also there are phosphotases and hyaluronidases;
- Toxic Polypeptides. Among them, 50% is melitin. The content of others is very small;
- Biogenic amines. These are histamine, norepinephrine, and dopamine. Their large concentration when ingested affects the work of the heart.
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Output
So we learned that some species of bees are dangerous to humans and animals. A healthy person usually tolerates bee stings. Serious problems arise in people with weakened immune systems and prone to allergic reactions. They even create medicines based on bee venom, and traditional medicine recommends treating with sciatica bites. And, for example, the poison of the Brazilian wasp Polybia paulista easily destroys cancer cells.
Thebiggest.ru editorial team asks you to share with us comments on how dangerous bees met on your way.
Article author: Valery Skiba