• Some species of bees grow a long stinger from their posteriors. The stinger is able to inject a poisonous mixture of chemicals called apitoxin. Although relatively harmless to an average person, apitoxin contains several chemicals that can be hazardous or cause severe allergic reactions.
  
  

Mellitin

• Mellitin is one of the main components of the European honey bee's apitoxin. The chemical attacks and destroys neural synapses at the penetration site. It also acts as a blood anticoagulant and prepares the surrounding area for the introduction of histamines also contained in the apitoxin. Mellitin causes the pain and inflammation commonly associated with bee stings.
  
  

Hyaluronidase

• Hyaluronidase is an acidic compound which helps penetrate the target surface and enhance the effectiveness of the injected apitoxin. It is also responsible for the slight numbing of the sting area due to its pain-relief qualities.
  
  

Other Components

• Several components of apitoxin like dopamins and noradrenalin only have a significant effect on insect species. Chemicals like histamine and serotonin quicken the spread of apitoxin in the body and cause an influx in adrenaline.