It is estimated that there are around 300 different types of phobias and that about 10% of the world's population suffers from a phobia. Apiphobia is one of the most common phobias and ranks at the top of all lists concerning phobias. Simply explained, apiphobia (from the Latin apis (bee) and the Ancient Greek phobos (fear)) is the fear of bees, wasps, bumblebees, or hornets. It is a specific phobia that can occur spontaneously or after a traumatic confrontation with the object of the phobia (insect sting, concerning the subject themselves, or of which they have been a witness).

The individual suffering from this phobia mainly fears pain, but also choking in the event of a sting to the throat. This same individual may also, at the same time, fear stings in general (e.g., blood tests, vaccinations, etc.).

The symptoms of this phobia consist of a set of avoidance strategies regarding the feared insects (fleeing, avoiding meals outdoors, or places that the subject identifies as 'at risk'), and panic reactions during confrontations. Generally, humans have a natural tendency to avoid the risks of insect stings. The problem is the extent of the fear and avoidance, and the significance of this concern in daily life.

The word 'wasp' has a different meaning depending on the person. There are over a thousand species of Vespidae (wasps, also called hymenopterans), a group that includes all categories of social wasps (about 800 species) and other species of solitary wasps that do not form colonies.

Among social wasps, the workers (sterile females) have a lifespan of about 12 to 22 days, the drones (fertile males) have a slightly longer lifespan compared to that of the workers, and the queens (fertile females) have an average lifespan of 12 months.

On average, a wasp nest produces about 11,000 to 13,000 workers and 1,000 to 2,000 queens per season.

Wasps secrete an alert pheromone that triggers a general state of alarm within the colony, leading to aggressive behaviour towards intruders. Rapid wing beats act as an alarm signal, encouraging the rest of the wasps to defend the nest at all costs.

The main component of the venom is protein, which is responsible for causing allergic reactions in people.

Wasps primarily need foods that are high in energy, such as carbohydrates, and therefore they favour nectar and a wide variety of sweet substances, such as fresh or processed fruits.

Researchers from the BBC stated in 2018 that wasps have the same positive impact on the environment as bees. Disdained by hikers and feared due to their very painful stings, wasps are among the least liked insects according to a recently published study.

The purpose of a wasp sting is to inject venom into their victim for self-defence or to defend their nest, or to neutralise it when hunting. Unlike the honeybee, the wasp's stinger is not barbed, meaning it does not leave its stinger embedded in the sting. Therefore, it can attack its victim at will, multiple times in succession, without fear of losing its life by leaving part of its abdomen with the stinger.

According to individuals, the effect can be mild or severe, depending on the number of stings and the presence of sensitising substances in the composition of the venom. A wasp injects about two to ten micrograms of venom, so around twenty wasps can send an adult human to hospital or even kill a dog. Most of the time, individuals will only experience a localized redness, an oedema that can be very painful, and some itching. There are about fifteen deaths from hymenopteran stings each year in France, mainly among allergic individuals. Wasp stings can be very dangerous in cases of allergies.

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A recent report from the CDC in the United States stated that twice as many people die from stings from wasps, hornets, and bees than from attacks by bears, sharks, snakes, and spiders combined!