Guide to the United States 4 Deadliest Insects

Although there are not many deadly insects in North America there are a few that can have fatal effects on humans. Of the 4 deadliest insects found in the United States, two of them are spiders and the others are bees and scorpions. These possibly deadly insects are found in tropical, arid climates in the southern and western United States. Most dangerous insects found in the US are located in southern Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, southern California, and Colorado. Although deadly insect species are mainly found in these states they can also be seen in Louisiana, Missouri, Mississippi, Nebraska, Kansas, and Tennessee. Learn some facts about the Black Widow and Tarantula Spiders, the striped Scorpion, and Africanized Bees so you can keep yourself safe in warmer climates. Here are some tips on symptoms and treatments of stings and bites and what to do in case of an emergency.

Black Widow Spider - Latrodectus Mactans
The black widow spider is considered North America's most venomous spider. The female adult Black Widow is the one you have to worry about and she can be identified by a red hourglass on her underside. Juveniles are relatively harmless and tend to be an orange/brown in color. Adult female Black Widow spiders are no more than 1.5 inches in length have a slender body with an elongated abdomen and slender legs. Adult Black Widow spiders are normally shiny and tend to be dark grey to black in color. Although this spider is typically found in the southern and western parts of the United States it has also been located as far north as Canada.

The Black Widow spider builds its home close to the ground in dark, secluded areas. This spider is solitary and lives most of it's life alone and is also known to shy away from animals and humans. The black widow spider can be found just about anywhere including basements, garages, sheds, under rocks and woodpiles, or in any other dark and quiet place close to the ground. Normally this spider is not found indoors unless it is cold outside. The black widow is not aggressive but when feeling threatened, stepped on, or pushed against it will bite and release venom into the victim.

Most Black Widow bites are an accident, mainly on part of the human. The venom of the Black Widow has been said to be up to 15 times more toxic than that of a Rattlesnake. Black Widow bites are rarely fatal but young children, the sick, and elderly may suffer deadly complications. Bites from this spider can be identified by two small holes, close together and the site may be red, warm to the touch, and begin to swell shortly after being bitten. If the victim was bitten anywhere on the upper body they may complain of tightness or pain in the chest. Because most Black Widow bites occur on the lower body most people will complain of moderate to severe abdominal pain.

Some other symptoms may include difficulty breathing, weakness, nausea or vomiting, excessive sweating or salivation, and muscle cramps or numbness. If any person shows these symptoms call the National Poison Control Center (NPCC) immediately. The NPCC will be able to determine the seriousness of the bite and will guide you on how to treat it and tell you whether or not to go to an emergency room. Immediately after noticing any spider bite, apply ice wrapped in a cloth or paper towel to control pain and swelling. Most people will survive a Black Widow bite and symptoms generally subside within 2-3 days. Minor complications like itchy skin or rash may persist for several weeks after.

Tarantula Spider - Aphonopelma Chalcodes
Tarantulas are very common in the United States and there are more than 50 varieties found throughout the country. The Tarantula prefers dessert climates and is mostly concentrated in New Mexico, Southern California, and Arizona. Many Tarantulas are harmless and often they are sold and kept as pets in the United States. For those whom are allergic, Tarantulas can be especially dangerous. The venom from the Tarantula is similar to that of a bee and is relatively harmless. What bothers most people is the tiny hairs that cover most of the Tarantula's body. These hair are poisonous to humans and can cause minor to severe irritation to mucus membranes and the upper respiratory tract.

In some people, the hair of the Tarantula can cause partial blindness and severe skin rashes. As with the Black Widow spider, the Tarantula hibernates in dark, quiet places low to the ground. Tarantula's may hideout in abandoned burrows, under stacked materials, rocks, or woodpiles, and in any other dark, secluded areas. Adult Tarantula's are brown in color, with fury looking body's and jointed legs. Some adults may appear almost black in color with red/orange to yellow colored patches on the legs, close to the body.

Tarantula bites are not severe, but for people whom are allergic the reaction can be fatal if not treated properly. Symptoms that a person is suffering from an allergic reaction to a Tarantula may include difficulty in breathing, swelling of the lips, eyelids, or throat, skin itchiness, low blood pressure, rapid heart rate, skin rash, and swelling at the site of the bite. As with any spider bite you should immediately ice the site to relieve pain and stop swelling. Because Tarantula bites are not usually fatal most people will be fine without going to the hospital but if any person exhibits the previous symptoms you should call the NPCC immediately. Most symptoms will subside in 2-3 hours and minor irritations like rash may persist for up to one week.

Africanized Bee - Apis Mellifera Scutellatta
In the United States, the Africanized Bee is commonly known as the killer bee although it's venom is no more potent than that of a regular bee. The Africanized Bee is typically found in southwestern areas of the US in states like New Mexico, Arizona, Texas, and southern California. The one thing that differentiates the Africanized Bee from a regular bee is that they are much more territorial and likely to attack in large numbers. Unlike regular bees the Africanized Bee will nest just about anywhere possible including in the ground, under eaves, in trees, inside sheds and garages, utility boxes, behind garbage cans, and just about anywhere there is enough space for approximately 300-500 bees.

The main reason the Africanized Bee is so dangerous is because they attack in large swarms, unlike regular honey bees. Not only is human safety compromised by the Africanized Bee but livestock and pets as well can be endangered. Because the Africanized Bee attacks in large swarms those that are allergic to bees in general are at risk for a fatal attack. If someone has been stung by a bee you believe is africanized immediately remove the stingers with a credit card or fingernail, and wash the sting site with soap and water. As with most insect bites it helps to apply ice to the skin to help relieve pain and slow swelling.

Most people when stung by a bee will have slight discomfort at the sting site that may be accompanied by swelling and/or itchiness. Symptoms that may appear if the victim is allergic may include difficulty breathing, coughing/wheezing/sneezing, weakness, nausea or vomiting, dizziness, tightness in chest, fever, loss of consciousness, shivering, and low blood pressure. Any person that exhibits signs of shock (loss of consciousness, shivering, or fever) needs to be taken to a hospital right away. Because Africanized Bees attack in such large numbers it is not rare for the victim to experience shock, which could be fatal if left untreated. For minor stings, clean the site, ice, and call the NPCC for further guidance. If any person exhibits signs of shock get to the nearest hospital right away or call 911.

Scorpions - Centruroides Vittatus
Scorpions are very common in the southwest part of the United States and most varieties are non-poisonous. Poisonous varieties of scorpions are found in nearly a dozen states including Nebraska, Arizona, New Mexico, Kansas, Mississippi, Missouri, Oklahoma, Texas, Colorado, Arkansas, Nevada, Tennessee, and Louisiana. Scorpions are usually found outdoors in damp, dark areas and are more active at night. Scorpions are typically a yellowish/tan color and mature adults may appear black to brown in color.

As with Black Widow bites, scorpion stings are usually the fault of human ignorance. Also like Black Widow spiders, the venom from a scorpion sting is neurotoxic and causes many of the same symptoms. Depending on the amount of venom in the scorpions stinger at the time of attack the result could be fatal, especially for children under the age of 5. In minor sting cases most symptoms will subside in 24-48 hours. As with most stings clean and ice the site, then call the NPCC for further direction.

In serious cases with scorpions stings the victim may have trouble breathing, suffer from double vision, may complain of abdominal cramps or pain, and may have urinary or fecal incontinence. Other symptoms of a severe allergic reaction may include tongue or throat swelling, excessive sweating or salivation, rapid heart rate, seizures, mild paralysis, and high blood pressure. Because some scorpion stings can be fatal, if any person exhibits these signs you should call 911 or get to the nearest hospital. With serious scorpion stings death can occur up to 4 days after the attack so it is best to seek professional medical advice immediately. If symptoms worsen quickly within the first few hours it is likely the victim may not survive.

For further information on these and other deadly insects log onto the The National Library of Medicine and The National Institutes of Health website at http://www.nlm.nih.gov.

The National Capital Poison Center is available by phone 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year at 1-800-222-1222. You can also check their website at http://www.poison.org.