Last checked November 3, 2026 against official sources.
This page lists 8 insects. 6 are venomous by official accounts. 2 are nonnative.
Not every species: no complete official list of Tennessee insects exists, so this page covers the ones state and Extension sources name. How lists are built.
Official sources single out these insects in Tennessee, in their own words:
Stings. “The red imported fire ant, Solenopsis invicta Buren, the black imported fire ant, Solenopsis richteri Forel, and their hybrid are nuisance insects and their stings can cause serious medical problems.” University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture, Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology
Stings. “The red imported fire ant, Solenopsis invicta Buren, the black imported fire ant, Solenopsis richteri Forel, and their hybrid are nuisance insects and their stings can cause serious medical problems.” University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture, Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology
Stings. “Wasp, hornet and yellowjacket stings can be a serious health threat to animals and humans, especially if a person being stung is allergic to yellowjacket venom.” University of Tennessee Extension
Source. “Yellowjackets are often considered the most dangerous stinging insects in the United States.” University of Tennessee Extension
Venomous stinging spines. “The Southern United States is home to at least 6 known ‘stinging’ caterpillars that are of medical significance. The Hickory Tussock, Hag or Monkey Slug, Saddleback, Buck, Lo Moth and Puss or Asp.” Tennessee Poison Center
Official sources single out these ticks in Tennessee, in their own words:
Tick. “Transmits: Tularemia and Rocky Mountain spotted fever” Tennessee Department of Health
Tick. “Transmits: Lyme disease, anaplasmosis, babesiosis, Powassan virus” Tennessee Department of Health
Tick. “Transmits: Rocky Mountain spotted fever” Tennessee Department of Health
Tick. “Transmits: Rocky Mountain spotted fever” Tennessee Department of Health
Tick. “Transmits: Ehrlichiosis, tularemia, Heartland virus, STARI, Alpha-gal syndrome” Tennessee Department of Health
Venomous species first, then A to Z. Do not handle them.
Vespula vulgaris
Venom: “Wasp, hornet and yellowjacket stings can be a serious health threat to animals and humans, especially if a person being stung is allergic to yellowjacket venom.” (University of Tennessee Extension)
Vespula maculifrons
Venom: “Wasp, hornet and yellowjacket stings can be a serious health threat to animals and humans, especially if a person being stung is allergic to yellowjacket venom.” (University of Tennessee Extension)
Vespula germanica
Venom: “Wasp, hornet and yellowjacket stings can be a serious health threat to animals and humans, especially if a person being stung is allergic to yellowjacket venom.” (University of Tennessee Extension)
Vespula flavopilosa
Venom: “Wasp, hornet and yellowjacket stings can be a serious health threat to animals and humans, especially if a person being stung is allergic to yellowjacket venom.” (University of Tennessee Extension)
Vespula vidua
Venom: “Wasp, hornet and yellowjacket stings can be a serious health threat to animals and humans, especially if a person being stung is allergic to yellowjacket venom.” (University of Tennessee Extension)
Vespula squamosa
Venom: “Wasp, hornet and yellowjacket stings can be a serious health threat to animals and humans, especially if a person being stung is allergic to yellowjacket venom.” (University of Tennessee Extension)
Solenopsis richteri
Solenopsis invicta
Records of insects in Tennessee peak in May to August. They show when people record insects, not how many there are (about month bars).
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.
TWRA "Report Wildlife Encounters, Incidents, or Illness" page (https://www.tn.gov/twra/wildlife/report-wildlife.html): bear conflicts (800) 831-1174; online forms for bear sightings, sick deer, and dead or sick birds. Rare birds: [email protected] (2013 checklist). Aquatic invasive species: TWRA directs people to its Invasive Fish Species page. Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency
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 Tennessee.
“The red imported fire ant, Solenopsis invicta Buren, the black imported fire ant, Solenopsis richteri Forel, and their hybrid are nuisance insects and their stings can cause serious medical problems.”
“Wasp, hornet and yellowjacket stings can be a serious health threat to animals and humans, especially if a person being stung is allergic to yellowjacket venom.”
“Yellowjackets are often considered the most dangerous stinging insects in the United States.”
“The Southern United States is home to at least 6 known ‘stinging’ caterpillars that are of medical significance. The Hickory Tussock, Hag or Monkey Slug, Saddleback, Buck, Lo Moth and Puss or Asp.”
“Transmits: Tularemia and Rocky Mountain spotted fever”
“Transmits: Lyme disease, anaplasmosis, babesiosis, Powassan virus”
“Transmits: Rocky Mountain spotted fever”
“Transmits: Ehrlichiosis, tularemia, Heartland virus, STARI, Alpha-gal syndrome”
“Most tick bites occur during warmer seasons, but the black-legged tick may pose a threat year-round when temperatures are above freezing.”
“In the South, tick borne illnesses are in season during the summer months. Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever (RMSF), Southern Tick-Associated Rash Illness (STARI), and Ehrlichiosis are endemic here in TN while Lyme disease is not.”
“To report bear conflicts, call (800) 831-1174”
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