As long as humanity has existed, stinging insects have attracted our attention. One of the earliest accounts is the death of Egyptian King Menes who died of a wasp sting while adventuring in Great Britain in 4600 years ago – and interest has not waned since. Why is the human interest in stinging Hymenoptera far more intense than facts and objectivity should indicate? How have stinging insects succeeded in accomplishing this? That is, how do stings and venom work; what is the benefit to stinging insects in having their venoms; have stinging insect venoms converged biochemical and physiological activities and formed a complex of “mimicry of function”. Has innate human and animal biology provided a mechanism for the evolution of hymenopteran venoms. Does the interest of journalists and the public support concepts relating to the evolution of insect venoms? These and other issues at the interface of human and insect interaction will be raised and addressed.