Insect allergy

Updated: August 2026

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Anaphylaxis to insects is usually caused by stings from bees, wasps and ants. A sting occurs when an insect injects venom through a stinger, whereas a bite occurs when an insect uses its mouthparts to pierce the skin. Because stings involve venom, they are more likely than bites to cause anaphylaxis.

Anaphylaxis from biting insects is rare, although common bull ants have been reported to cause anaphylaxis.

Most allergic reactions to ants occur after an ant sting rather than a bite. People often describe ant stings as “ant bites”, but many ant species, including Jack Jumper ants, cause allergic reactions through venom injected during a sting, not through a bite.

Some biting insects (such as mosquitoes, midges and march flies) can cause large local reactions.

Ticks are not insects but arachnids (same group as spiders) which bite. See our page on Ticks.

Although insects may look similar, allergy to one type of insect does not usually mean the risk of an allergy to another insect is higher.

Stings from insects such as bees, wasps and ants are one of the most common causes of anaphylaxis in Australia.

There are recorded cases of people dying from anaphylaxis following an insect sting. These deaths are usually in older adults with existing lung or heart disease. Death from anaphylaxis to insect stings is rare.

Those at greatest risk of anaphylaxis to insects are those who have had anaphylaxis following a sting before.

Common causes of insect allergy

• Honeybee – is the most common cause of allergic reactions to insects in Australia.
• Wasp (Paper wasp and European wasp) – can sting multiple times.
• Jack Jumper Ant (also known as jumper ant or hopper ant) – mostly found in Tasmania, South Australia, Victoria, New South Wales (Snowy Mountains, Blue Mountains and coastal regions), and down the eastern side of Australia.
• Green ants, native Australian bees, and red imported fire ants can also cause allergic reactions including anaphylaxis.

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Signs and symptoms of reactions to insects

Normal reaction:

A small area of redness and pain around the insect sting or bite site. This is normal and not an allergy.

Allergic reactions:

1. Large local reaction:

Rash or swelling that is larger than 10cm around the site of the insect bite or sting. These reactions are more common in children than adults. If you have a large local reaction to a sting or bite, you do not need referral to an allergy specialist as it is most likely that the next reaction will be similar if you have another sting or bite.

2. Generalised:

Some people develop rash or urticaria (hives) all over their body, without signs or symptoms of anaphylaxis.

People who develop a rash all over their body should be referred to an allergy specialist, even if they do not have signs of anaphylaxis. The allergy specialist can assess the risk of future reactions and determine whether treatments such as venom immunotherapy (VIT) are appropriate. Usually, VIT is given to adults with generalised skin rash to insect stings, but not to children.

3. Severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis):

An allergic reaction may start with mild or moderate signs or symptoms but can progress rapidly to anaphylaxis. However, it is important to remember that signs of a mild or moderate allergic reaction may not always occur before anaphylaxis.

Any ONE of these is a sign of anaphylaxis to insect sting:

People who are at greatest risk of anaphylaxis are those who have previously had anaphylaxis following a sting.

Allergic reactions to stinging insects tend to be life long, although children are more likely to improve than adults.

Adults are at greater risk of anaphylaxis than children.

Diagnosis of insect allergy and when to see an allergy specialist

Insect allergy is more common in adults than children and tends to be lifelong.

The diagnosis of insect allergy should be confirmed by a doctor. The doctor will ask you what happened and usually do a physical examination and order some tests.

It can help if you know which insect stung you. If it is safe to take a photo of the insect that stung you, this will help the doctor identify the insect.

There is treatment available for some types of stinging insect allergy. This is called venom immunotherapy (VIT), and it has been shown to lessen the severity of allergic reactions in people with insect allergy. VIT needs to be prescribed by an allergy specialist.

If you have had severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) from an insect sting or bite, you should ask your doctor for a referral to an allergy specialist who may suggest VIT. You should also be prescribed an adrenaline device and given an ASCIA Action Plan for Anaphylaxis.

You should also be referred to an allergy specialist if you had a generalized rash all over your body after an insect sting without features of anaphylaxis. VIT may be considered.