Almost all allergies to insect venom are delivered via a stinger. Spiders, which are not actually insects, are the exception. Spiders deliver their venom by biting. Stinging insects are most active in the summer and early fall, and are most dangerous near their nests. The most likely culprits in an insect sting are members of the Hymenoptera family, which includes:

• Honeybees. These insects have round bodies that appear “fuzzy.” They are dark brown with yellow markings.
  
  
• Yellow jackets. These insects are black with yellow markings.
  
  
• Paper wasps. These insects have slender, elongated bodies that are black, brown or red with yellow markings.
  
  
• Hornets. These insects have black or brown bodies with white, orange or yellow markings.
  
  
• Fire ants. These insects have bodies that are reddish-brown to black in color. They are found only in the Southeastern region of the United States.