Arthropod bites and stings

Many species of arthropods (insects, arachnids and others) regularly or occasionally bite or sting human beings. Insect saliva contains anticoagulants and enzymes that cause local irritation and allergic reactions.^[1] Insect venoms can be delivered by their stingers, which often are modified ovipositors, or by their mouthparts. Insect, spider and scorpion venom can cause serious injury or death. Dipterans account for the majority of insect bites, while Hymenopterans account for the majority of stings. Among arachnids spider bites are the most common. Arthropods bite or sting humans for a number of reasons including feeding or defense. Arthropods are major vectors of human disease, with the pathogens typically transmitted by bites.

Insects

Diptera (True flies)

• Black flies (Simuliidae)
• Horse-flies (Tabanidae)
  • Deer flies/Yellow flies (Chrysops)
• Tsetse flies (Glossinidae)
• Stable flies (Muscidae)
• Biting midges or No see-ums (Ceratopogonidae)
  • Highland midge
• Mosquitos (Culicidae)
• Botflies (as larvae, Oestridae)
• Sandflies (Phlebotomidae)
  • Lutzomyia
  • Phlebotomus
• Blow-flies (as larvae, Calliphoridae)
• Screw-worm flies (as larvae, Calliphoridae)

Hymenoptera

• Ants
  • Bull ants (sting)
  • Fire ants (both bite and sting)
• Bees
  • Honeybees (sting)
  • Stingless bees (bite)
  • Bumblebees (sting)
• Wasps (sting)
  • Hornets (sting)
  • Yellow Jackets (sting)

Siphonaptera (Fleas)

• Fleas (bite)
  • Human flea Pulex irritans
  • Chigoe flea Tunga penetrans

Phthiraptera (Lice)

• Lice (bite)
  • Head lice
  • Body lice
  • Crab lice

Other insects

• Assassin bug/Kissing bug
• Bedbugs
• Conenose bug
• Hippoboscidae (Keds)
  • Deer flies

Arachnids

Spiders

Mites

• Chiggers
• Mange mite
• Scabies
• Ticks

Scorpions

• All species sting

Myriapoda

• Centipedes

References

External links

• Identifying insect bites and stings