Insect bites and stings Insect bites and stings Insect bites and stings occur when an insect is agitated and seeks to defend itself through its natural defense mechanisms, or when an insect seeks to feed off the bitten person. Some insects inject formic acid, which can cause an immediate skin reaction often resulting in redness and swelling in the injured area. Stings from fire ants, bees, wasps and hornets are usually painful, and may stimulate a dangerous allergic reaction called anaphylaxis for at-risk patients, and some wasps can also have a powerful bite along with a sting. Bites from mosquitoes and fleas are more
National Insect Week entries from large numbers of amateur photographers. As well as promoting the importance of insect science to the wider public, National Insect Week particularly aims to encourage young people into entomology. Past National Insect Week campaigns have been endorsed by HRH The Prince of Wales, Prof David Bellamy OBE, Chris Packham, Kate Humble and Mike Dilger. The next National Insect Week will be 18-24 June, 2018. National Insect Week National Insect Week is a biennial initiative in the UK. Usually held during the last week of June, the aim is to engage the general public with the importance of insects