Alex Mustard / Backlit detail of branching fire coral (Millepora alcicornis) showing the hair like polyps, filled with stinging nematocysts. East End, Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands. Caribbean Sea.

Alex Hyde / Stinging nettle (Urtica dioica) close up of stinging hairs, the silicified tips of the stinging hairs are brittle and snap off easily if the nettle is brushed. Focus stacked image. UK.

Martin Dohrn / African driver / Siafu / Safari ant biting {Dorylus/ Anomma speciess). Species is non-stinging, but jaws can tear human flesh. East Africa

Colin Varndell / Stinging nettle (Urtica dioica) foliage in spring, Dorset, UK, May

Kim Taylor / Stinging caterpillar, Costa Rica

Ernie Janes / Close up of tail sting of Hornet (Vespa crabro) UK

Norbert Wu / Clown Anemonefish (Amphiprion ocellaris) among stinging tentacles of anemone, Komodo Island, Indonesia

Juergen Freund / Close up of Giant Stinging Tree hairs on the leaves (Urticastrum gigas or Dendrocnide excelsa). Contact with the leaves or twigs causes the hollow silica-tipped hairs to penetrate the skin. Australia

John B Free / Honey Bee stinging human (Apis mellifera)

Norbert Wu / Blackfinned Clownfish (Amphiprion percula) trio gain protection among stinging tentacles of Anemone, Papua New Guinea

Norbert Wu / Blackfinned Clownfish (Amphiprion percula) pair, safe among stinging tentacles host Magnificent Anemone (Heteractis magnifica), Solomon Islands

Magnus Lundgren / Wild Wonders of China / Whip coral gobies, or wire-coral gobies (Bryaninops yongei) on a stinging whip coral. Xiaoliuqiu Island, Taiwan