Bombus
Bumblebees prefer cool and temperate climates and are mainly found in Europe, Asia, and North America. It is estimated that there are about 250 different bumblebee species. In Europe, the European large earth bumblebee (Bombus terrestris) is the most common.5
Bumblebees can sting several times without attachment of the sting apparatus to the skin. The protein content per bumblebee sting is 10-31 µg depending on the species compared to 59 µg per honey bee sting.6 As bumblebees are not aggressive, the risk of being stung is very low in the general population. The worldwide use of domesticated bumblebees as crop pollinators7 has led to an increasing prevalence of bumblebee venom (BBV) allergy, especially in greenhouse workers and bumblebee farm employees.5SSR due to BBV have been consistently described, mostly in occupational settings.8-11