No, although large dragonflies if held in the hand will sometimes try to bite, but fail to break the skin. They have a lot of "folk names" which imply that they do (such as Horse stinger), but they don't use their egg-laying tube (ovipositor) for stinging. They also don't bite (people) but they are a fearsome predator of other flying insects.

The emergence of 'flying ants' in large swarms can cause alarm to people but nothing can be done to stop them swarming, and they are also harmless.

Dragonflies do not have stingers and cannot sting! Since they have a mouth, they can bite, but they bite prey, not humans, unless handled roughly. Their bite would be like a hard pinch.

Fire ants bite and then sting! One feels a prickly sensation as the ants bite the skin's surface with their mandibles to get a grip.

They are not able to because they do not have the necessary mouthparts. In contrast to other insects, the butterfly is a model of innocence.

Answer: No. Cicadas aren't equipped to bite or sting. They do have prickly feet and and a beak which can pinch or scratch. If they confuse you with a tree branch they might try to drink fluids from you or lay some eggs in you, which you would definitely feel.

Possibly the earliest reference to the name is from Francis Bacon's "Sylva Sylvarum: or a Naturall Historie in Ten Centuries." (a curious hotch-potch of experiments, observations, speculations, ancient teachings, and analytical discussions on topics ranging from the causes of hiccups to explanations for the shortage of rain in Egypt).

Mainly, adult dragonflies eat other flying insects, particularly midges and mosquitoes. They also will take butterflies, moths and smaller dragonflies. There is one Asian species which takes spiders from their webs! The larvae, which live in water, eat almost anything living that is smaller than themselves. The larger dragonfly larvae are known to catch and eat small fish or fry. Usually they eat bloodworms or other aquatic insect larvae.

Dragonflies do have enemies. Among the species that catch and eat adult dragonflies and damselflies are birds (e.g. Wagtails and Hobbies), Spiders (many damselflies are caught in webs), Frogs, and larger species of dragonflies (which catch and eat other dragonflies and damselflies). In the larval stage, which is spent underwater, they are preyed on by fish, frogs, toads and newts, other water invertebrates - and Kingfishers (see photo below).

If the device is applied quickly after a bite or sting, it is possible that Biteaway will help prevent the allergic reactions. However, no specific series of tests have been done to confirm or refute this scenario.

Female mosquitoes need protein for the development of their eggs, and they get it from the blood of animal and human hosts. Male mosquitoes do not bite, nor do mosquitoes actually '"feed" on blood. The nectar of flowers actually provides sugar to power mosquitoes' flight muscles.

People and animals are not the primary target for mosquitoes, especially in temperate climates. The major mosquito pests in the southeastern U.S., for example, seem to prefer the host-odor of small herbivorous (vegetarian) mammals, or birds. Even mosquitoes that carry encephalitis seem to prefer avian (bird) hosts. These mosquitoes bite people when they get the chance, but they are better at tracking the scent of animals that are most abundant in their habitat.

Giant African Land Snails do not have teeth. Instead, they have a rough tongue called a radula, which has special ridges on it so the snails rasp their food rather than chewing or biting it. You can feel a snail rasping you. It is slightly rough, tickly sensation, not unlike the feeling of a cat licking you. It can't do you any harm. Some species (possibly Achatina iredalei) have sharper radulas than others. Snails seem to rasp most surfaces they come across. This appears to see what is edible.

Yes, all the time. It's a natural reaction when we are afraid or angry. Then we'll bite hard. 'Coons also nip in play or in warning that we are getting angry.

Dragonflies and damselflies belong to the insect order known as Odonata, meaning "toothed jaw" - their mouthparts are serrated. They are often referred to collectively as "dragonflies", however there are two different sub-orders. Damselflies are insect in the sub-order Zygoptera (meaning "yoke-winged"). All four wings are near enough equal in size and shape. They are usually small, weakly flying insects that stay close to the water margins or water surface.

There are many legends and myths about dragonflies and damselflies from all parts of the world. Many are evident from their common nicknames. In the UK, Dragonflies were called 'Horse-Stingers'. This name may come from the way a captured dragonfly curls its abdomen as if in an attempt to sting. Another possible explanation of this name is that the big Aeshnids etc. are/were often seen flying round horses in fields. Here they were actually feeding on the flies attracted to the horses.

Yes, Dragonflies do have a pair of antennae. They are very tiny and difficult to see. If you look at the photo on the right you will just be able to see the antennae between the front of the eye and the front of the face of this Emperor dragonfly. As dragonflies rely much more on their eyesight than on a sense of touch or smell, they do not need the large antennae found on some beetles and moths.