[Aculeate Hymenoptera pathology. Clinical, therapeutic and preventive aspects]

Dramatic cases of hymenoptera stings have been reported from various sources for several years now. According to recent statistic from North America 0.4-0.8% of the population have shown allergic reaction to these stings. There are no reliable statistics on Italy. After classifying the taxonomy of the Hymenoptera, the present report carefully analyses both the diagnostic and therapeutic aspects of these allergic responses and the preventive measures that can be used reduce the risk of hymenoptera stings.