List of Dangerous Insects

Many people are afraid of bugs. Anytime they see an insect, the first instinct is to smash it. But most insects are perfectly harmless and actually are important parts of the ecosystem. Some insects, however, are extremely dangerous and should be avoided.

  1. Cicada Killer Wasp

    • Cicada killers are found in the United States, and although you won't get stung unless you provoke one, the sting is quite painful. The insect has red wings and legs with a black and gold body. They grow up to 2 inches long, and the males can be quite territorial.

    Fire Ants

    • When fire ants sting, the sting burns terribly, hence their name. One sting might not feel great, but isn't terrible, either. However, fire ants, which are found in the United States, are known to swarm and attack at once. That can be very painful and cause whelps that don't go away easily.

    Giant Asian Hornet

    • This hornet looks a lot like a regular hornet, except it can grow to be about 3 inches long. This hornet lives mostly in Japan. It is particularly scary because it can sting more than once, unlike bees or wasps, and its venom can dissolve human tissue. Also, its venom contains a chemical that attracts other giant Asian hornets.