Tag Archives: venom

Do other bugs have anything similar to a hymenopteran’s stinger?

Posted on January 26, 2021 by JoanieTheEntomologist

Question: I know that stingers on wasps, bees, ants, etc., are modified ovipositors, which helps them out in terms of defense […] this got me into thinking. Do other bugs have anything similar?  This question emailed to us is quite intriguing and … Continue reading →

Posted in Behavior, Evolution | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Are Brown Widows as Dangerous as Black Widows?

Posted on November 6, 2016 by joeballenger2005

Written by Joe Ballenger As a rule, Widows have pretty nasty venom. I was knocked on my butt for about 3 days after a bite I received from a Southern Widow (Lactrodectus mactans) after mishandling her. These sorts of incidents … Continue reading →

Posted in Ecology, Pest Management, Physiology | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

If I am allergic to honeybees, am I also allergic to other bees?

Posted on June 17, 2016 by joeballenger2005

Post written by Joe Ballenger     Does the allergy to honeybee stings carry over to other bees like the bumblebees and carpenter bees? Allergies are very complicated, but they also effect a lot of people. So this is a topic … Continue reading →

Posted in Chemistry, Physiology | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

Why are caterpillar hairs itchy? Why do caterpillar hairs cause abortions in horses? Can they hurt other pets?

Posted on April 30, 2015 by joeballenger2005

Written by Joe Ballenger The great thing about being on social media is that we run into a lot of questions and conversations that are very closely related to each other despite the fact that the participants might not realize … Continue reading →

Posted in Chemistry, Physiology | Tagged , , , , , | 4 Comments