Which insect can spray a pungent, acrid venom from its stingers which can impair vision and affect breathing?

The common aerial yellowjacket is known for its ability to spray a pungent, acrid venom from its stingers. This characteristic makes it especially dangerous because the venom can cause irritation, impair vision, and affect breathing in individuals who are exposed to it. This capability is tied to its defensive behavior, as the insect uses it to ward off threats.

Both types of yellowjackets possess a similar venom that can provoke allergic reactions in some people, but the common aerial yellowjacket is particularly noted for this spray feature, which is not a behavior observed in honey bees or other wasps mentioned. Honey bees, for instance, have a barbed stinger and can only sting once, releasing venom into the victim but lacking the capacity to spray. Thus, the unique defensive mechanism of the common aerial yellowjacket distinguishes it from the other options, confirming why it is the correct answer in this context.