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Arizona Bugs and Insects That Sting or Bite

Last checked November 3, 2026 against official sources.

On this page
  1. Which insects can hurt you
  2. All 5 insects
  3. When they are active
  4. If you are bitten or stung
  5. What official sources say
  6. About this list
  7. Sources

This page lists 5 insects. 1 is venomous by official accounts. 1 is nonnative.

Not every species: no complete official list of Arizona insects exists, so this page covers the ones state and Extension sources name. How lists are built.

Which insects can hurt you

Official sources single out these insects in Arizona, in their own words:

  • Africanized honey bee
    Photo: Jesse Rorabaugh · CC0 1.0 · iNaturalist

    Africanized honey bee

    Venomous sting. “Although their sting is treated the same as other bee stings, these bees are very aggressive and much more likely to attack when threatened.” Arizona Poison and Drug Information Center

  • Kissing bugs (conenose bugs)

    Severe allergic reaction. “The biggest health risk kissing bugs pose is one of severe allergic reaction. Some people develop a severe or life-threatening allergy to them after multiple bites.” University of Arizona Cooperative Extension

All 5 insects

Venomous species first, then A to Z. Do not handle them.

No confirmed photo of Africanized honey bee ("killer bee")

Africanized honey bee ("killer bee")

Venomous Invasive per Arizona Poison and Drug Information Center

What the sources say

Venom: “Bees have a barbed stinger at the base of their abdomen which carries their venom.” (Arizona Poison and Drug Information Center)

No confirmed photo of Centipedes (not insects; grouped with bugs by APDIC)

Centipedes (not insects; grouped with bugs by APDIC)

Not stated

Venom
No official source we use states whether this animal is venomous. That does not mean it is harmless: do not handle it.
No confirmed photo of Kissing bug (Triatoma recurva)

Kissing bug (Triatoma recurva)

Triatoma recurva

Not stated

Venom
No official source we use states whether this animal is venomous. That does not mean it is harmless: do not handle it.
Where in Arizona
T. recurva is easily found in Madera Canyon, Sabino Canyon, and Santa Catalina Mountains University of Arizona Cooperative Extension
Kissing bug (Triatoma rubida)
Photo: Wendy McCrady · CC BY 4.0 · iNaturalist

Kissing bug (Triatoma rubida)

Triatoma rubida

Not stated

Venom
No official source we use states whether this animal is venomous. That does not mean it is harmless: do not handle it.
Where in Arizona
T. rubida, although found throughout Arizona, is most prevalent in the foothill regions of Phoenix and Tucson University of Arizona Cooperative Extension
Western bloodsucking kissing bug
Photo: Andrew Meeds · CC BY 4.0 · iNaturalist

Western bloodsucking kissing bug

Triatoma protracta

Not stated

Venom
No official source we use states whether this animal is venomous. That does not mean it is harmless: do not handle it.
Where in Arizona
T. protracta is common in Madera Canyon, Pima County, and Coconino County University of Arizona Cooperative Extension

When insects are active in Arizona

Records of insects in Arizona peak in June to September. They show when people record insects, not how many there are (about month bars).

55,752 records of insects in Arizona by month (GBIF, CC0 and CC BY records).

If you are bitten or stung

Call 911 or Poison Help at 1-800-222-1222 right away. Poison Help connects you to your local poison center, any time of day.

Official advice from University of Arizona Cooperative Extension:

What official sources say

Are there killer bees in Arizona?

Yes. Africanized ("killer") bees have invaded Arizona and are very aggressive when threatened. Arizona Poison and Drug Information Center

“Africanized bees or "killer bees" have now invaded many parts of the United States, including Arizona.”

About this list

Venom labels come only from official sources and link to them; "Not stated" never means harmless. How labels work.

"Nonnative" and "Invasive" follow the wording of the source list. See invasive species in Arizona.

Sources

  1. Ridge-nosed Rattlesnake (species page). Arizona Game and Fish Department. archived copy, captured January 16, 2026; checked November 3, 2026.
  2. Bees, Spiders & Other Bugs. Arizona Poison and Drug Information Center (University of Arizona College of Pharmacy). 2026 (footer copyright; checked November 3, 2026.
    Quoted passages (3)
    “Bees have a barbed stinger at the base of their abdomen which carries their venom.”
    “Although their sting is treated the same as other bee stings, these bees are very aggressive and much more likely to attack when threatened.”
    “Africanized bees or "killer bees" have now invaded many parts of the United States, including Arizona.”
  3. What You Should Know About Kissing Bugs (az1992). University of Arizona Cooperative Extension. 2025-09 (Revised September 2025; checked November 3, 2026.
    Quoted passages (1)
    “The biggest health risk kissing bugs pose is one of severe allergic reaction. Some people develop a severe or life-threatening allergy to them after multiple bites.”
  4. Scorpions of the Desert Southwest United States (az1768). University of Arizona Cooperative Extension. 2018-05; checked November 3, 2026.
    Quoted passages (1)
    “Most healthy adults can manage a sting without seeking the help of a doctor, but it is always advisable to call the Poison Help Hotline 1 (800) 222-1222 for advice, as each individual has a unique response. … If children 9 years or under, or weighing less than 70lb (32 Kg) are stung, call 911 or the Poison Help Hotline 1 (800) 222-1222, or take them to the nearest hospital for treatment immediately.”
  5. Scorpions. Arizona Poison and Drug Information Center (University of Arizona College of Pharmacy). 2026 (footer copyright; checked November 3, 2026.
    Quoted passages (1)
    “The majority of stings reported to the poison center occur at night during the warm summer months.”
  6. GBIF.org occurrence records, human observations licensed CC0 1.0 or CC BY 4.0 only, accessed November 3, 2026. The datasets behind these counts are listed on our Sources page.