50 dangerous bees > CommonSense

50 dangerous bees, wasps, and hornets from around the world, along with brief descriptions of their threats and unique characteristics:

1-10
Asian Giant Hornet (Vespa mandarinia)

Known as the "murder hornet," it delivers a potent venom and can destroy honeybee colonies.
Africanized Honey Bee (Apis mellifera scutellata)

Also called "killer bees," these are highly aggressive and attack in large swarms.
Japanese Giant Hornet (Vespa mandarinia japonica)

A subspecies of the Asian giant hornet, with a painful sting and powerful venom.
European Hornet (Vespa crabro)

The largest hornet in Europe, capable of delivering a painful sting multiple times.
Bald-Faced Hornet (Dolichovespula maculata)

Aggressive when defending their nests, delivering painful stings.
Yellow Jacket (Vespula spp.)

Found worldwide, these wasps are known for their persistence and painful stings.
Paper Wasp (Polistes spp.)

While generally less aggressive, they sting when their nests are threatened.
Western Honey Bee (Apis mellifera)

Generally docile but can become aggressive if the hive is disturbed.
Tarantula Hawk Wasp (Pepsis spp.)

Delivers one of the most painful stings, used to paralyze tarantulas.
Bullet Ant (Paraponera clavata)

Although not a bee or wasp, its sting is excruciating and likened to being shot.
11-20
Asian Hornet (Vespa velutina)

Invades and kills honeybee colonies, with a painful sting to humans.
Common Wasp (Vespula vulgaris)

Aggressive when food or nests are disturbed, causing multiple stings.
Giant Resin Bee (Megachile sculpturalis)

Competes with native bees, potentially harming ecosystems.
Cicada Killer Wasp (Sphecius speciosus)

Large solitary wasps that deliver painful stings when threatened.
Red Paper Wasp (Polistes carolina)

Builds nests in urban areas and stings intruders aggressively.
Velvet Ant (Dasymutilla spp.)

Also known as "cow killer," it delivers a powerful sting despite being a wasp.
Great Black Wasp (Sphex pensylvanicus)

Solitary but can sting when handled or provoked.
Hornet Mimic Hoverfly (Volucella zonaria)

Resembles hornets but is harmless; often confused with dangerous species.
Blue Mud Wasp (Chalybion californicum)

While not aggressive, it can sting if threatened.
Baldfaced Stinger Wasp (Dolichovespula arenaria)

A North American wasp with a venomous sting.
21-30
Southern Yellow Jacket (Vespula squamosa)

Highly aggressive wasps found in the southeastern U.S.
German Wasp (Vespula germanica)

An invasive species with a powerful sting, often found in urban areas.
Green Orchid Bee (Euglossa dilemma)

While generally non-aggressive, it can sting if trapped.
Hover Wasp (Leipomeles spp.)

Small but capable of delivering painful stings.
Blue Orchard Bee (Osmia lignaria)

Non-aggressive but territorial around nesting sites.
Asian Honey Bee (Apis cerana)

Can defend hives aggressively, especially against larger predators.
European Wool Carder Bee (Anthidium manicatum)

Competes aggressively with other pollinators, occasionally stinging humans.
Black Carpenter Bee (Xylocopa spp.)

Large bees that sting if handled or trapped.
Northern Giant Hornet (Vespa mandarinia)

A variant of the Asian giant hornet with similar threats.
Mason Wasp (Ancistrocerus spp.)

Solitary wasps that sting in self-defense.
31-40
Blue-Banded Bee (Amegilla spp.)

Non-aggressive but stings if provoked.
Nomad Bee (Nomada spp.)

Solitary bees that sting if handled.
Potter Wasp (Eumenes spp.)

Builds mud nests and stings if disturbed.
Sand Wasp (Bembix spp.)

Solitary wasps that sting if provoked while nesting.
Asian Hornet Giant Wasp (Vespa ducalis)

Less aggressive but delivers painful stings when provoked.
Sweat Bee (Halictidae spp.)

Small bees attracted to sweat, capable of mild stings.
Leafcutter Bee (Megachile spp.)

Solitary and non-aggressive but can sting in self-defense.
Bumblebee (Bombus spp.)

Generally docile but will sting to protect their nests.
Anthophora Bee (Anthophora spp.)

Ground-nesting bees that sting if nests are disturbed.
Eastern Hornet (Vespa orientalis)

Aggressive and found in warm climates, delivering painful stings.
41-50
Pollen Wasp (Masarinae spp.)

Solitary wasps that sting only if provoked.
Digger Wasp (Sphex spp.)

Solitary and stings to paralyze prey.
Thread-Waisted Wasp (Ammophila spp.)

Non-aggressive but stings to defend itself.
Tropical Fire Ant (Solenopsis geminata)

Delivers painful stings with venom, often in swarms.
Army Ant (Eciton burchellii)

Known for aggressive swarming behavior and painful bites.
Trap-Jaw Ant (Odontomachus spp.)

Stings with venom and can bite aggressively.
Indian Red Wasp (Ropalidia marginata)

Found in South Asia, it stings when nests are threatened.
Australian Hornet (Abispa ephippium)

A large hornet capable of painful stings.
Honeycomb Wasp (Vespidae spp.)

Aggressive when defending their intricate hives.
Golden Carpenter Bee (Xylocopa auripennis)

A large solitary bee that stings in self-defense.
Let me know if you'd like detailed descriptions or characteristics of any specific species!