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Crematogaster nigropilosa. Unlike most stinging insects, ants of this genus don't use their stingers to inject venom. Rather, Crematogaster employ theirs like a brush to smear a droplet of venom on their attackers. This worker exudes a droplet in response to the photographer. Morretes, Paraná, Brazil
A Solenopsis worker stands guard over an exposed pile of larvae. Morretes, Paraná, Brazil
Her nest disturbed by the photographer, a Solenopsis thief ant worker exudes a droplet of venom on her stinger and waves it in the air. Morretes, Paraná, Brazil
A stinging bee, her abdomen curved forward for leverage.
A bee's sting apparatus, with associated venom glands, remains in the beekeeper's skin to maximize venom delivery. The stinger also releases a banana-like odor that serves as a marker to other guard bees.
Honey bees- but not most other bees- die after stinging because the stinger remains in the skin, attached to some of the bee's vital organs.
The most feared part of the bee: the stinger, with associated venom sac and accessory glands.
A Pachycondyla chinensis worker stings a termite it has caught, and the termite defecates in response. Raleigh, North Carolina, USA
Among the most damaging pest ant species is Solenopsis invicta, a fire ant native to South America. This species has been accidentally imported to the southern United States, eastern Australia, China, and elsewhere. Here a worker fire ant is shown in stereotypical defensive posture, her sting extruded, waving a droplet of venom in the air. Austin, Texas, USA
Crematogaster nigropilosa. Unlike most stinging insects, ants of this genus don't use their stingers to inject venom. Rather, Crematogaster employ theirs like a brush to smear a droplet of venom on their attackers. This worker exudes a droplet in response to the photographer.

Morretes, Paraná, Brazil
Crematogaster nigropilosa. Unlike most stinging insects, ants of this genus don't use their stingers to inject venom. Rather, Crematogaster employ theirs like a brush to smear a droplet of venom on their attackers. This worker exudes a droplet in response to the photographer. Morretes, Paraná, Brazil
Crematogaster nigropilosa. Unlike most stinging insects, ants of this genus don't use their stingers to inject venom. Rather, Crematogaster employ theirs like a brush to smear a droplet of venom on their attackers. This worker exudes a droplet in response to the photographer.

Morretes, Paraná, Brazil
See photo in original gallery.
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all images and text © Alex Wild 2001-2013