The most common component of hymenoptera venom is glycoprotiens, but there are several proteins and peptides including phospholipidase A2, histamine, allergen 2,  apamin, and melittin present in venom (Krishna et al., 2011; Tracy, 2011; Przybilla and Ruëff, 2010; Hussein et al., 2001). These peptides and proteins are responsive for the immune responses associated with both normal and anaphylactic reactions, with the main allergen being phospholipidase A1 (Tracy, 2011; Przybilla and Ruëff, 2010). Melittin is known to be cardiotoxic in mammals and frogs, and when combined with apamin can decrease heart rate more sharply than either component alone (Hussein et al., 2001; Prado et al., 2010). This suggest that there is a synergistic effect of venom components together. In addition to the toxic effects of the venom, hyaluronidase and biogenic amines work together to spread the venom within the body (Przybilla and Ruëff, 2010). As a whole the venom has been shown to negatively affect numerous parts of the body including the liver, skeletal muscle, kidney, coagulation system (Prado et al., 2010).

There are some antigenic components that are shared by several species of hymenoptera (Vincent et al. 2010). Therefore, there is cross-reactivity and sensitizing between these venoms (Tracy, 2011).  For example, bee venom and wasp venom share 50% sequence homology with respect to the hyaluronidase gene (Przybilla and Ruëff, 2010). Howeber, venoms are not equally potent as bee venom is more likely to cause a systemic reaction for those allergic to bees than wasp venom is in those allergic to wasps (Krishna et al., 2011).

This website was made as part of a project for Animal Physiology class at Davidson College.