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The HIT study: Hymenoptera Identification Test--how accurate are people at identifying stinging insects?
Troy W Baker1, Joseph P Forester2, Monica L Johnson3
1Malcolm Grow Medical Clinics and Surgery Center, Department of Allergy/Immunology, Joint Base Andrews, Maryland.
Summary
Adults struggle to identify stinging insects like wasps and yellow jackets, with honeybees being the exception. Men and those with multiple sting experiences showed better insect identification accuracy.
Area of Science:
- Entomology
- Public Health
Background:
- Stinging insects of the order Hymenoptera, including bees, wasps, yellow jackets, hornets, and ants, pose health risks from localized swelling to fatalities.
- Accurate insect identification is crucial for effective management of Hymenoptera sting injuries.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the accuracy of adults in identifying common stinging insects and their nests.
- To determine if demographic factors or prior sting experience influence identification accuracy.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional, multicenter study utilizing a picture-based survey.
- Participants were evaluated on their ability to identify honeybees, wasps, bald-faced hornets, yellow jackets, and their nests.
Main Results:
- Out of 640 participants, the average correct identification rate was 3.2 out of 6.
- Honeybees were most accurately identified (91.3%), while paper wasps were least accurately identified (50.9%).
- Men and individuals reporting stings from at least four different insects demonstrated higher identification accuracy.
Conclusions:
- Adults generally exhibit poor accuracy in distinguishing between stinging insects and nests, with honeybees being a notable exception.
- Factors such as male gender and a history of multiple stings correlate with improved insect identification skills.
